Coriolis Force

Earth View

Latitude: 0°

Coriolis Acceleration: 0 m/s²

Deflection: 0 m

Projectile Trajectory

Inertial Path

Rotating Frame Path

Foucault Pendulum

Precession Period: 0 h

Earth Rotation: 0°

Atmospheric Circulation

Cyclone (Low Pressure)

Anticyclone (High Pressure)

Parameters

Earth Parameters

Latitude (λ): 45° Rotation Speed: 1x Hemisphere

Projectile Parameters

Velocity (v): 100 m/s Direction: 0° Flight Time: 10 s

Visualization Options

Show Earth Grid Show Velocity Vector Show Coriolis Force Vector Show Inertial Reference Frame Animation Speed: 1x

Quick Presets

Coriolis Force Equations

Coriolis Force: F_cor = -2mΩ × v

Horizontal Deflection: a_cor = 2Ωv sin(λ)

Deflection Direction: North: Right, South: Left

Foucault Pendulum Period: T = 24h/sin(λ)

Earth Angular Velocity: Ω = 7.292 × 10⁻⁵ rad/s

What is Coriolis Force?

The Coriolis force is an apparent force that acts on a mass in motion within a rotating frame of reference. On Earth, this force causes moving objects (including air currents) to be deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

Physics Behind Coriolis Force

Rotating Reference Frame: The Coriolis force arises because we observe motion from a rotating reference frame (Earth).
Conservation of Angular Momentum: Objects moving toward the equator must speed up to keep up with Earth's rotation.
Latitude Dependence: Zero at equator, maximum at poles.
Velocity Dependence: Faster objects experience greater deflection.
Always Perpendicular: Always perpendicular to velocity and rotation axis.

Foucault Pendulum

Precession Demonstration: The pendulum's oscillation plane appears to rotate, demonstrating Earth's rotation.
Period Formula: T = 24h/sin(λ). At poles: 24h. At 45°: ~33.9h.
Historical Significance: First demonstrated by Léon Foucault in 1851.
Applications: Found in science museums worldwide.

Atmospheric and Oceanographic Effects

Cyclones and Anticyclones: Northern Hemisphere: cyclones rotate CCW, anticyclones CW. Southern Hemisphere: reversed.
Trade Winds: Deflected by Coriolis effect.
Ocean Currents: Deflected by Coriolis force, creating gyres.
Jet Streams: Influenced by Coriolis force.

Practical Applications

Artillery and Ballistics: Long-range artillery must account for Coriolis deflection.
Aviation and Navigation: Aircraft and ships must account for Coriolis effect.
Weather Prediction: Used in numerical weather prediction models.
Space Launch: Launching near equator provides velocity boost.

Common Misconceptions

Toilet Flush Rotation: Coriolis effect is too weak to influence toilet rotation.
Sniper Shots: Negligible for short-range. Only extreme long-range (1+ km) matters.
Constant Deflection: Varies with latitude, velocity, and direction.

Historical Context

Gaspard-Gustave de Coriolis (1792-1843) first described this effect in 1835. The term "Coriolis force" was named in his honor.