Coriolis effect

physics

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June 24, 2026

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The Coriolis effect is an apparent deflection of moving objects when viewed from a rotating frame of reference, such as Earth. This effect is not a true force but rather an artifact of observing motion within a rotating system.12

On Earth, the Coriolis effect causes objects moving north or south to appear to deflect to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. This occurs because Earth rotates eastward, and the speed of rotation varies with latitude. For instance, winds moving towards a low-pressure center are deflected, leading to the characteristic rotation of storms like cyclones. This phenomenon is crucial in meteorology, oceanography, and even ballistics. The magnitude of the effect is determined by the object's velocity, Earth's angular velocity, and the latitude.12

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atmosphere
Convection, circulation, and deflection of air
…case, air) is called the Coriolis effect. As a result of the Coriolis effect, air tends to rotate counterclockwise around large-scale low-pressure systems and clockwise around large-scale high-pressure systems in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, the flow direction is reversed.
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…case, air) is called the Coriolis effect. As a result of the Coriolis effect, air tends to rotate counterclockwise around large-scale low-pressure systems and clockwise around large-scale high-pressure systems in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, the flow direction is reversed.
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Ekman spiral
…of current direction by the Coriolis effect, given a steady wind blowing over an ocean of infinite depth, extent, and uniform eddy viscosity. According to the concept proposed by the 20th-century Swedish oceanographer V.W. Ekman, the surface layers are displaced 45° to the right in the Northern Hemisphere (45° to…
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…of current direction by the Coriolis effect, given a steady wind blowing over an ocean of infinite depth, extent, and uniform eddy viscosity. According to the concept proposed by the 20th-century Swedish oceanographer V.W. Ekman, the surface layers are displaced 45° to the right in the Northern Hemisphere (45° to…
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spatial disorientation
…downward while turning, the so-called Coriolis effect occurs, in which the plane feels as though it is descending. The usual reaction of the pilot is to pull back on the stick to raise the plane. In a spin, the illusion of nonmotion is created if the spin is continued long…
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…downward while turning, the so-called Coriolis effect occurs, in which the plane feels as though it is descending. The usual reaction of the pilot is to pull back on the stick to raise the plane. In a spin, the illusion of nonmotion is created if the spin is continued long…
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Coriolis force
The effect of the Coriolis force is an apparent deflection of the path of an object that moves within a rotating coordinate system. The object does not actually deviate from its path, but it appears to do so because of the motion of the coordinate system.
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The effect of the Coriolis force is an apparent deflection of the path of an object that moves within a rotating coordinate system. The object does not actually deviate from its path, but it appears to do so because of the motion of the coordinate system.
Read More