Coriolis
Effect
The article explains the Coriolis effect and how it affects our
planet.
Key words: coriolis forces, coriolis
effect, hurricane science, hurricane motion, wind movement
Introduction
The
Coriolis effect occurs when on a rotating body, an inertial force acts at
right angles to its direction of motion.
When a
secondary object (say a ball) is rolled on the rotating primary body the ball
even if rolled in straight path initially follows a curved path (Figure
1). The Coriolis effect (also called the Coriolis force) is based on
the laws of motion introduced by Sir Issac Newton (1642–1727).
Objects
Under the Coriolis Effect
Within rotating coordinate system, the ball in Figure 1 acted on
by the Coriolis effect appears to experience a force that would deflect it from
its path of motion. This force is not as strong as the centrifugal force however;
a force is exerted on an object moving towards or away from the axis of
rotation in a rotating system.
The
Coriolis Effect Applications
It is equally important in understanding the dynamics of our
atmosphere as well, which includes the manner in which winds
and storms move. It also explains the motions of oceanic currents.
Formation of cyclones
Hurricanes (Also called cyclones and typhoon depending on their location of occurrence) are the most powerful storms on Earth. The scientific term for all these storms is tropical cyclone as from the name suggest these are formed around the tropics (i.e tropics of cancer and Capricorn).
As depicted in the figure 2 below,
the tropical Cyclones rotation is always anticlockwise whereas in the southern
hemisphere the rotation is always in clockwise direction.
As we know Earth rotates toward the east and this rotation causes fluids, such as air and currents, to be deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Coriolis Effect causes these winds to be deflected toward the right in the Northern Hemisphere (Figure 1) and toward the left in the Southern Hemisphere. This motion of winds generates a torque which results in rotation around the low pressure area and further cyclonic formation.
Winds from areas of high pressure, tend to blow toward the low pressure area. Therefore, these winds blowing toward the low pressure system in the Northern Hemisphere do not reach the center of the low pressure system, but are deflected slightly towards right and starts to circulate in anticlockwise direction. In the Southern Hemisphere, the winds blowing towards the center of the low pressure system tend to deflect towards left there by giving a clockwise rotation to the winds.
Other Applications:
Coriolis Effect is also used in some of the important areas
below:
- It
also has major significance in Motions including aircraft, its launching
and orbiting.
- PSLV
and GSLV Satellite orbit calculation and correction
- Mechanics
of machinery,
- Rotating
motors and turbines,
- The
Coriolis effect has utmost importance when it comes to Astrophysics
that relate to Planet Earth and all other celestial motions. In the
field of astronomy, astrophysics the Coriolis effect explains the rotation
of sunspots and the true directions of light seen on Earth from the stars.
