Earth, Sun & Galaxies: Physics of Movement

In summary, the Earth, Sun, and all of the planets rotate around the center of the Milky Way at a speed of 144 mi/sec. This is nowhere near 1/10th of the speed of light, and we don't sense velocity with our bodies, only change in velocity.
  • #1
mistersmith
5
0
The Earth spins on it's axis at approximately 2 mi/sec(795 mi/hr), it
spins around the sun at approximately 18.5 mi/sec(67,000 mi/hr), and
the sun along with all of the planets spins around the center of the
galaxy at 144 mi/sec(1/10th the speed of light. So how come we don't
feel all of that motion?
 
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  • #2
We don't sense velocity with our bodies, only change in velocity.
 
  • #3
mistersmith said:
144 mi/sec(1/10th the speed of light.

The speed of light is 186,282 mi/sec, and 144 mi/sec is nowhere near 1/10th of that.
 
  • #4
mathman said:
We don't sense velocity with our bodies, only change in velocity.

example...flying in an airplane. You don't feel the motion while traveling at a few hundred miles per hour (turbulence aside) but you do feel the change in velocity (acceleration) when taking off.
 
  • #5
Suppose you were blindfolded and sat in a chair at the north pole. In 24 hours you would turn through 360 degrees, in one hour through 15 degrees. Do you suppose that without some exterior visual cue you could "feel" that speed of rotation? And everywhere else than the poles, the experienced earthly rotation is less; at the equator it's zero - parallel transport! And all the other rotation speeds you cite are less than the earth's, 360 degrees in a year? 360 degrees in umpty billion years? Man when you turn your head to one side you do 90 degrees in half a second; that's 648,000 degrees per hour, for comparison.
 
  • #6
Phobos said:
example...flying in an airplane. You don't feel the motion while traveling at a few hundred miles per hour (turbulence aside) but you do feel the change in velocity (acceleration) when taking off.
can this be considered as an example for inertia?
 
  • #7
Plus the atmosphere spins at pretty much the same rate as the Earth, that helps in not feeling anything... :smile:
 

FAQ: Earth, Sun & Galaxies: Physics of Movement

What is the relationship between the Earth, Sun, and galaxies?

The Earth and Sun are part of the Milky Way galaxy, with the Sun being the central star and the Earth orbiting around it. Galaxies are vast collections of stars, gas, and dust that are held together by gravity. The Milky Way is just one of billions of galaxies in the observable universe.

How does the movement of the Earth affect our daily lives?

The Earth's rotation on its axis causes day and night, while its orbit around the Sun creates the changing of seasons. These movements also affect the Earth's climate and weather patterns, which have a significant impact on our daily lives.

What is the role of gravity in the movement of celestial bodies?

Gravity is a fundamental force that governs the movement of all objects in the universe, including the Earth, Sun, and galaxies. It is responsible for keeping planets in orbit around stars and stars in orbit around the center of their galaxies.

How do scientists study the physics of movement in the universe?

Scientists use a variety of tools and techniques to study the physics of movement in the universe, including telescopes, satellites, spacecraft, and computer simulations. They gather data from these sources to develop theories and models that help us understand and predict the movements of celestial bodies.

What impact can the movement of galaxies have on the Earth and our solar system?

The movements of galaxies can have a significant impact on the Earth and our solar system, although these effects are often indirect. For example, the gravitational pull of a passing galaxy can disrupt the orbits of objects in our solar system, leading to changes in climate and the potential for collisions with comets or asteroids.

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