What is the Coriolis Effect?

The Coriolis effect is the apparent deflection of moving objects due to the rotation of the Earth. As the Earth rotates, different parts of the planet are moving at different speeds. This causes objects that are in motion to appear to veer off course from their original path.

How Does the Coriolis Effect Work?

The Coriolis effect is caused by the combination of the Earth's rotation and the linear motion of an object. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Coriolis effect causes moving objects to veer to the right, while in the Southern Hemisphere, it causes objects to veer to the left.

Examples of the Coriolis Effect

One of the most well-known examples of the Coriolis effect is its impact on ocean currents. In the Northern Hemisphere, ocean currents are deflected to the right, while in the Southern Hemisphere, they are deflected to the left. This has a significant impact on the circulation of water around the globe.

Another example is the effect of the Coriolis force on wind patterns. It causes the prevailing winds in the Northern Hemisphere to blow from the northeast to the southwest, and in the Southern Hemisphere, from the southeast to the northwest.

Implications of the Coriolis Effect

The Coriolis effect has important implications for various aspects of the Earth's systems, including climate patterns, ocean circulation, and the flight paths of aircraft. Understanding the Coriolis effect is essential for predicting and understanding these phenomena.

Study Guide

• What causes the Coriolis effect?
• How does the Coriolis effect affect the movement of objects on the Earth's surface?
• Provide examples of the Coriolis effect in action.
• What are the implications of the Coriolis effect for ocean currents, wind patterns, and flight paths?
• Explain how the Coriolis effect differs in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.