The earth spins on its own axis. How fast does it rotate at the equator in miles per hour?

JSBach

Given 25,000 miles at the equator, and a full day of 24 hours to rotate (which is not exactly that, but never mind), a simple division (25,000/24) yields approximately 1042 mph. If you want to argue, you can on the size of the equator and on the number of hours needed to spin around (around 23.92 hours) but the result will always be close to 1,000 mph. Then that speed is in reference to the center of the Earth, but the absolute speed should incorporate the speed of the revolution around the Sun, that of the Sun around the center of the galaxy, etc. May 03 00, 2:42 PM

zbeckabee

The Earth rotates once in 24 hours, and its (equatorial) radius is 3963 miles (6378 km). As with the Moon, the rotational speed starts at zero at either geographic pole and increases as you head toward the equator, where it reaches its maximum of about 1038 mi/hr (1669 km/hr). At 45 degrees north or south latitude, the rotational speed is about 0.7 of this maximum speed. http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/newton/askasci/1995/astron/AST047.HTM Feb 03 08, 10:41 PM