Earth Science Question?

[Peri]

Hi, this is a question from my homework assignment. I'm not asking you to do it for me (though you can if you like!) but I just want it explained. I'm confused as to why your location on earth affects how fast you're traveling. Here's the question, thank you!

Given that the Earth’s circumference is about 40,000 kilometers and the Earth completes one circle of rotation in 24 hours, how fast are you traveling if you stand still on the equator and on 40° N parallel respectively? Please show your answer in kilometers per hour and in miles per hour.

 

[PaulCyp]

Because someone on the equator has to travel many more miles than someone near the north pole when the earth rotates once. The only way to go a greater distance in the same length of time is to go faster. Someone on the equator is traveling 40,000 in 24 hours. Someone at the exact north or south pole isn't really traveling at all. He is just turning around once in 24 hours.