Re: [Phys-L] field of an ellipsoidal distribution

[John Denker <jsd@av8n.com>]

On 08/14/2015 03:23 PM, Donald G Polvani wrote:

> I did note that John's "Barogenic + Centrifugal" model (which I
> take to be the same model as the sphere model) didn't compare as well for
> some reason I don't understand. 

That model takes into account the ellipsoidal shape,
so that points on the equator are farther away from
the center, so the gravity there is reduced in 
accordance with the 1/r^2 law.

I diagrammed that model because there are textbooks
out there that try to explain the latitude-to-latitude
variation solely in terms of the shape and the 1/r^2
law, desperately trying to avoid mentioning the
centrifugal field.