Final answer:
The speed of Earth's rotation at the equator is calculated by dividing the distance a point on the equator travels in one rotation (25,000 miles) by the time it takes to complete that rotation (24 hours), resulting in a speed of approximately 1,041.67 miles per hour.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understand-Solve-Explain Process: Earth's Rotation Speed
Understand: The question asks how fast the Earth rotates on its axis. We know Earth completes one full rotation every 24 hours, covering a distance of about 25,000 miles at the equator.
Solve: To find the rotational speed, we divide the total distance by the time it takes to complete that distance. Speed = Distance / Time, which is Speed = 25,000 miles / 24 hours.
Explain: Calculating this gives us a speed of approximately 1,041.67 miles per hour. This speed indicates how fast a point on the equator travels due to Earth's rotation.
SUMUP: The Earth rotates at a speed of approximately 1,041.67 miles per hour for a point on the equator, completing a full rotation in 24 hours.