Chapter 10, Problem 33A

Which state in the United States has the greatest tangential speed as Earth rotates around its axis?

To determine

The state in the United States that has the greatest tangential speed as Earth rotates around its axis.

Answer to Problem 33A

Hawai

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

A linear speed $\left(v\right)$ is written in terms of the rotational speed $\left(\omega \right)$ as,

  $v=r\omega$

Where, $r=$ distance from the axis

As the Earth rotates around its axis, the tangential speed of the state will be directly proportional to its distance from the axis.

Now, the state in the United states which is farthest from the axis is Hawai, hence it will have the greatest tangential speed.

Conclusion:

Due to the greatest distance from the axis of rotation of Earth, Hawai has the greatest tangential speed in the United States.