The Coriolis Effect is responsible for a number of large-scale weather patterns. Coriolis’ effect was first described by French engineer-mathematician Gustave-Gaspard Coriolis in 1835. In terms of physics, the Coriolis Effect occurs when a frame of reference rotates. The Coriolis Effect occurs when an object moving along a straight path is observed from a non-fixed frame of reference. The earth rotates at a fixed speed, which is the moving frame of reference. As a result of the Coriolis Effect, long-distance planes and air currents travel in a curving path instead of a straight line. Cyclones and trade winds are examples of how the Coriolis Effect affects weather patterns. In the Northern Hemisphere, fluids pass through low-pressure systems on the right as they pass through high-pressure systems on the left. The Coriolis force is most vital at the poles and absent at the equator, and to circulate, Cyclones need Coriolis force.
Read More: Coriolis Effect
Important Questions with Answers
1. How does the Coriolis Effect affect weather patterns?
The Coriolis Effect has an effect on the formation of weather patterns such as cyclones and trade winds. Fluids from high-pressure systems pass to the right of low-pressure systems in the Northern Hemisphere. Air masses are deflected as they are pulled into cyclones from all directions, and the storm system, a hurricane, appears to rotate counterclockwise.
Currents are deflected to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. As a result, Storm systems appear to rotate clockwise.
2. Describe characteristics of the Coriolis Effect
Brief characteristics of the Coriolis Effect can be listed as follows:
- The Coriolis force is a fictitious force caused by the rotation of the earth.
- The Coriolis Effect can benefit moving objects such as wind, aircraft, ballistics, and flying birds.
- The Coriolis Effect only affects wind direction and not wind speed because it deflects the wind from its expected path.
- Wind speed determines the magnitude of Coriolis force. The greater the deflection, the greater the wind speed.
- At the poles, the Coriolis Effect is greatest, while at the equator, it is smallest.
- The Coriolis force acts perpendicular to the axis of the moving object.
3. What is the impact of the Coriolis Effect on aeroplanes and human activity?
Fast-moving objects affected by weather, such as aeroplanes and rockets, are affected by the Coriolis Effect. The Coriolis effect determines the direction of the prevailing winds. Hence a pilot must consider this while charting routes for long-distance travel.
4. Does Coriolis force affect snipers?
Yes, snipers are affected by Coriolis force. If the target is facing west, the bullet will shoot low, and if the target is facing east, the bullet will land higher than the shooter aimed. The Coriolis effect is considered by military snipers. A bullet’s trajectory is too small to be significantly affected by the rotation of the earth, but a sniper’s aim is so precise that a few centimetres of deflection can hurt innocent people or damage civilian infrastructure.
5. Where is the Coriolis Effect strongest?
- Poles
- Equator
- Tropic
- None of the above
Answer – a. Poles
Explanations – The Coriolis Effect is strongest at the earth’s poles. There’s essentially no Coriolis effect at the equator, and the further you move away from the equator, the more powerful the Coriolis force. This is because the speed of the earth’s rotation decreases with increased latitude.
6. Why is the Coriolis effect zero at the equator?
The earth spins on its axis from west to east. As a result, the Coriolis force acts in a north-south direction. At the equator, the Coriolis force is zero.
7. Who is the Coriolis effect named after?
The Coriolis Effect is named after the great French mathematician and physicist Gaspard-Gustave de Coriolis.
8. What would happen without the Coriolis effect?
This deflection is a major reason why winds in the northern hemisphere blow counterclockwise around low pressure and clockwise around high pressure, and vice versa in the Southern Hemisphere. Without the Coriolis, affected air would flow directly from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure.
9. How does the Coriolis effect affect climate?
The most substantial impact of the Coriolis Effect is felt on the weather, which is affected by the earth’s rotation. The earth rotates on its axis and creates weather patterns. The Coriolis Effect creates storms to swirl clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Northern hemisphere.
10. What would happen to the Coriolis effect if the earth stopped spinning?
The lack of rotation would reduce the Coriolis Effect to essentially zero. That means that air would move from high to low pressure with almost no deflection.
Practice Questions
- What is Coriolis Force?
- Why is Coriolis force perpendicular to pressure gradient force?
- Is Coriolis force affected by gravity?
- What are the applications of Coriolis force?
- Is Coriolis force always perpendicular to the wind?
|
Related Links |
Watch the video below to learn more about the Coriolis Effect.
Stay tuned to BYJU’S for more exciting questions with solutions. Register for “BYJU’S – The Learning App” as well for a wide variety of interactive, engaging Physics-related videos.
