Coriolis force
Spin-induced apparent deflection
The Coriolis force is an apparent force that acts on objects moving within a rotating reference frame, such as the Earth.
It deflects moving objects to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere, affecting large-scale phenomena like wind patterns, ocean currents, and the rotation of storm systems.
The effect is negligible on small scales—despite popular myth, it does not determine which way water swirls down a drain.
The Coriolis force explains why hurricanes spin counterclockwise north of the equator.
Large-scale seawater movement
- gyresRotating circular movements
- Gulf StreamWarm Atlantic ocean current
- upwellingDeep water rising surfaceward
- downwellingFluid sinking from surface
Rotating low-pressure storm system
- anticycloneHigh-pressure weather system
- trade windsReliable equatorial air currents
- jet streamHigh-altitude wind current
- hurricaneViolent tropical windstorm
typhoon · polar vortex · weather systems · tropical storm · monsoon · high-pressure · low-pressure · air masses
Device demonstrating Earth's rotation
- gyroscopeSpinning disc measuring orientation
- rotating platformBase that revolves continuously
- merry-go-roundRotating amusement ride
- carouselRevolving platform with seats
turntable · angular momentum · spin · vortex · counterclockwise · clockwise · rotational motion · equatorial
Change in trajectory
- centrifugal forceApparent outward push when turning
- Newton's lawsThree motion axioms
- inertiaResistance to altered motion
- momentumProduct of mass, velocity
Projectile motion science
- long-range artilleryGuns hitting far-off targets
- aircraft navigationGuiding planes through airspace
- satellite orbitPath around celestial body
- missile guidanceDirecting weapons to targets
ocean currents
Large-scale seawater movement
- gyresRotating circular movements
- Gulf StreamWarm Atlantic ocean current
- upwellingDeep water rising surfaceward
downwelling · Humboldt Current · Benguela Current · ocean circulation
cyclone
Rotating low-pressure storm system
- anticycloneHigh-pressure weather system
- trade windsReliable equatorial air currents
- jet streamHigh-altitude wind current
hurricane · typhoon · polar vortex · weather systems · tropical storm · monsoon · high-pressure · low-pressure · air masses · westerlies
Foucault pendulum
Device demonstrating Earth's rotation
- gyroscopeSpinning disc measuring orientation
- rotating platformBase that revolves continuously
- merry-go-roundRotating amusement ride
carousel · turntable · angular momentum · spin · vortex · counterclockwise · clockwise · rotational motion · equatorial · polar regions
deflection
Change in trajectory
- centrifugal forceApparent outward push when turning
- Newton's lawsThree motion axioms
- inertiaResistance to altered motion
ballistics
Projectile motion science
- long-range artilleryGuns hitting far-off targets
- aircraft navigationGuiding planes through airspace
- satellite orbitPath around celestial body
Coriolis forcefundamental force
Irreducible physical interaction type
electromagnetic force · friction · strong nuclear force · normal force · tension
Coriolis forcecentrifugal force
Apparent outward push when turning