Why does Earth's atmosphere rotate faster than Earth itself?
1 Answer
It is difficult to prove that atmosphere spins faster than the Earth..
Explanation:
Earth is matter and so is the atmosphere above its surface. First
law of Newton is applicable to both.
The 24-hour day/night spin, that is the naturally induced rotation,
at the time of stabilization of Earth's orbit around the Sun, is
common to both the Earth and the atmosphere. The other
secondary motions are attributed to forces other than the
gravitational force.
Unless disturbed by some forces other than the force of attraction
towards Earth's center, all matter within the Earth and in the
atmosphere would rotate about the axis of the Earth, as a single
compound mass.
But there is no homogeneity in density, owing to changes in
temperature, and consequent changes in pressure in
parts of matter, at different levels/layers..
The viscosity imbalance creates local disturbances.
As a result, there are 'gravity
locations, differently, within the Earth, and likewise, in the very light
medium of air, in the atmosphere.
There are rivers above the surface of the Earth and also under
seas. volcanic bursts, earth tremors and quakes. ...
In the atmosphere, destructive Katrina moves at 100 km speed,
#Cirrus-stratus clouds above move like a 65-wagon goods train,
Cloud bursts pour rain and snow flakes.
In all, there are local cyclic/periodic or almost periodic to and fro
motion in the atmosphere.
This is my vision of the making of locally differential spin of the
atmosphere that might appear to be faster..
..