PopSci reader Dave wants to know: "Hello, if the earth spins east to west why does our wind blow west to east? The wind has to be blowing faster than the earth spinning. Yes?" Feel free to tackle this one in the comments section. Submit your science and technology questions to fyi@popsci.com.
I think Eggman002 hits on it exactly. Sure, technically the wind is moving faster, but not that it would affect anything on earth, since we're all moving with it. Imagine standing at the back of a bus that is moving at 80km/h, then walk from the back of the bus to the front at 5km/h. In relation to the floor of the bus, you are only moving at 5km/h, in relation to the ground under the bus, you are moving at 85km/h, and in relation to space outside of Earths atmosphere, you are moving very, very fast. If the bus is driving west-east, then technically you are walking 85km/h faster than the earth is rotating. So to simply answer your question: Yes, a west-east wind is moving faster than the earth is rotating.
I don't know if this problem is unique to me, but ever since the launch of the new site I get an "access denied" message every time I try to use the PPX. The opening page loads fine, but then I try to enter my portfolio and it says, quote "Access denied, You are not authorized to access this page." I have been using the PPX since it started, and am finding this quite vexing. I don't know if this is the proper spot to put this complaint, but I have not been able to find a troubleshooting or "contact us" link. Other than that, this looks great, good job guys!
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