Chapter 30, Problem 13RQ

In what direction does Earth spin-west to east or east to west?

To determine

The direction of spinning of the Earth.

Answer to Problem 13RQ

The direction of spinning of the Earth is towards East.

Explanation of Solution

As the Earth spins, all free-moving objects like air and water, aircraft and ballistic missiles and even snow balls appear to deviate from their straight-line path to a small extent as the Earth rotates under them. This deflection due to the rotation of Earth is called Coriolis force.

Because of this force, winds in the northern hemisphere deflect to the right and the winds in the southern hemisphere deflect to the left. Also, this force varies with the speed of the wind.

The word 'East' is usually referred to as a direction, not a rotation. It would be better stated that Earth rotates counterclockwise relative to the north and south pole being our axes.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the direction of spinning of the Earth is towards East.