Does the Earth really rotate?

Question

In which direction does it spin?
We've been told that it spins on north and south axies
if the Sun is stationary in repect to the earth the earth is rotating eastward cus we see the sun raise on the east.
knowing the earth spins eastwardly, if 2 planes on a run way in Florida going oppisite directions, 1 west, 1 east taking off at the same time, going the same speed arrive at the same time at Manila Ph. that would tell me the earth is not spinning but the sun is rotating around the earth and we've been lied too
Tell me what you all think :)

Answer 1

Two points:
1) yes, the earth really rotates.

2) The planes land at the same time not because the earth isn't rotating underneath them, but rather because it isn't rotating relative to them - the planes are on the earth. If the earth is rotating, the planes are on the earth, and have the same velocity as the surface of the earth, even when they aren't moving.

Answer 2

So, you reckon the sun, moon, planets, stars, galaxies all rotate around the Earth every 24 hours?

Do you see how silly that is?

The idea was excusable 600 years ago when nobody knew how distant or enormous were those objects, but with today's knowledge the idea is preposterous. Where the heck do you go to school?

As for the planes thing. Just imagine fleas jumping around on a dog. It doesn't matter what the dog is doing - walking, jumping, running, riding a bus - those fleas are still doing their thing regardless - they don't care what the dog is doing.

Same with planes, ships, cars, you, me - we are carried along by the earth like fleas on a dog. We can jump in the air, and that is no different from flying in a plane - the Earth is turning and everything including the atmosphere, the oceans, you, me, are going with it.

If you do pirouettes like a dancer or ice skater, everything seems to be going around you. Of course it is just you going round and round - how could you make everything in the world go around you.

See how silly you are?

You write OK so you are not a baby, so you need some serious education.

PS - the previous reply is wrong. Planes flying the same speed, opposite ways around the world, assuming no wind, will arrive at the same time.

Space launches are a completely different prospect - they are going into space where the direction the Earth is turning is relavent to speed you are going to achieve in space.

Answer 3

The Earth spins on it's axis and revolves around the sun. The sun has an axial spin as well.

The airplanes taking off in opposite directions, traveling an equal distance, do not arrive at the same time, here is why:

http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/question.php?number=607

Answer 4

Have you taken into account wind velocities and air currents?
First the Earth rotates eastward at 1000mi/hr at the equator.
That is why NASA launches eastward from Florida and NOT westward, so they can gain velocity from the earth's rotation. If neglecting winds and weather you flew two planes launched at the equator at the same times to the same place 12,500 miles in opposite directions, the one flying eastward would arrive first because it is flying faster.

Answer 5

Well, the problem with the plane theory is that the air in between Manilla and Florida is *also* rotating... And, depending on your latitude, you might get some serious tail winds going west-east.

Answer 6

The planes would have to be in space for your theory to work. Gravitational effect on the planes.... such as if you throw a ball perfectly straight up into the air as high as you can... it does not fall a few inches away from the point in which you toss the ball.

Answer 7

Yes because the planes move with the earth

Answer 8

Motion is always relative to a reference (including rotary motion).
What is moving for one may be stationary for another and moving in the opposite direction for another.

Answer 9

I have a T-shirt that reads, "If I have to explain Harley-Davidson, you wouldn't understand, anyway."

Answer 10

Its all a government plot. Dont believe them. The truth is out there.