allrighty

So here is where I am now Sorry i dont know how to make those equations so bear with me... This is the coordinate system I have been using "I" represents a vector from origion going horizontally from left to right "J" represents a vector from origion going vertically up I have the vector a_c = ((86400^-1{sec}*pi*r)^2)/r I I found a relationship for r in the horizontal plane as r = 6,388,000{earth's radius in m}*Cos(theta) then substituted r into the vector a_c and simplified it to a_c = .00845{m/s^2}Cos(theta) I and a_g = -9.81{m/s^2}Cos(theta) I - 9.81{m/s^2}Sin(theta) J So i summed up the vectors in the I and J directions to get: SUM a_x = 0.00845Cos(theta) I - 9.81Cos(theta) I SUM a_y = -9.81Cos(theta) J and can just combine the vectors in one expression for a_xy now right? But ive forgotten how to find angle between vectors (cross product? dot product? or something else?)

Thanks everyone for their help especially Rocket Man I really appreciate all the advice you give me There are a couple things i dont understand however... 1. Doesnt the centripetal force depend on the latitude. It seems that it would be greatest at the equator, with no centripetal force at the pole.... Maybe if r represented the distance to the earth's vertical axis... (horizontal in the diagram from the earth's surface at some point.) If r is a function of latitude, how would I relate the two? 2. Could you explain the step getting V in the centripetal equation relation ship a little clearer for me? Im just not sure where the expression v = rotation rate * pi * radius comes from.... 3. How would the angle phi be obtained, adding fx and fy through a vector system i and j and then what? Overall I am just overwhelmed by this problem relating phi to theta to gravitational vector... sorry if some of my questions seem redundant

Yes your right... my mistake... anyways there is a fictional force pulling us away from the earths surface, that is what i tried to represent

Here is a picture to show vectors and things that i drew where the vectors F_centripetal + F_gravity = F_gravitation

The centripetal vector points away from the axis of rotation of the earth, it remains horzontal throughout earth's latitude

Hi everyone, im new here but i need some help Ive been asked to find the angle between the gravity and gravitational vectors as a function of latitude where gravity is pointing to the center of the earth and the gravitational vector is the sum of the gravity vector and centripetal vector. Can anyone help? Thanks

Hi everyone, im new here but i need some help Ive been asked to find the angle between the gravity and gravitational vectors as a function of latitude where gravity is pointing to the center of the earth and the gravitational vector is the sum of the gravity vector and centripetal vector. Can anyone help? Thanks