1. What is Coriolis Force?

The Coriolis force is an inertial force that acts on objects moving in a rotating reference frame. It is responsible for the apparent deflection of moving objects when viewed in a rotating system, such as the Earth.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Coriolis force equation:

Where:

• \( F_c \) — Coriolis force (N)
• \( m \) — Mass of the object (kg)
• \( \omega \) — Angular velocity of the rotating system (rad/s)
• \( v \) — Velocity of the object relative to the rotating system (m/s)

Explanation: The negative sign indicates the force is perpendicular to both the velocity and rotation vectors, following the right-hand rule.

3. Importance of Coriolis Force

Details: The Coriolis effect is crucial in meteorology (weather patterns), oceanography (currents), ballistics (long-range projectiles), and engineering (rotating machinery).

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass in kilograms, angular velocity in radians per second, and velocity in meters per second. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is Coriolis force important on Earth?
A: It causes the deflection of winds and ocean currents, creating weather patterns like cyclones and the trade winds.

Q2: Does Coriolis force affect water draining in a sink?
A: The effect is too small to observe in small-scale systems like sinks - this is a common misconception.

Q3: What's the difference between Coriolis force and centrifugal force?
A: Both are inertial forces in rotating frames, but centrifugal acts outward from the rotation axis, while Coriolis acts perpendicular to motion.

Q4: How does Coriolis force affect long-range projectiles?
A: Artillery must account for it - in the Northern Hemisphere, projectiles deflect to the right.

Q5: Is Coriolis force a real force?
A: It's an apparent force that appears in rotating reference frames, but doesn't exist in inertial frames.