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The Coriolis effect is zero at the equator because the winds don't have to "bend" due to the shape of the earth and the way the earth rotates. The winds can flow straight.
If you were at the poles where the force is at its maximum, almost every weather system "bends" and "bends strongly" because the earth moves slowest there, and the northern most clouds in those systems move slower than the clouds that are southern most in the system.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoBecause that is where the sun is directly overhead twice a year.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoBecause it is an imaginary line that "cuts" the earth in half.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoBecause that was the name given to the line
formed of all the points with zero latitude.
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Explain why Geostrophic wind is not possible at the equator?
The geostrophic wind balance is not possible because the Coriolis force vanishes at the Equator.
What happens if a hurricane crosses the equator?
This cannot happen because the Coriolis Force becomes negligible near the equator, and the storm would fall apart. Furthermore, the Coriolis Force acts in opposite directions on each side of the equator. Clearly, a hurricane could not be spinning in one direction, then stop spinning as it approaches the equator and start spinning in the other direction as it is on the other side!
How is the Coriolis affect different based on the hemisphere?
The Coriolis Effect is an apparent deflection of moving objects when they are viewed from a rotating reference frame. Moving objects on the surface of the Earth experience a Coriolis force, and appear to veer to the right in the northern hemisphere, and to the left in the southern hemisphere.
What happens if a cyclone crosses the equator?
This is impossible. A cyclone cannot cross the equator. The reason why this cannot happen is because the Coriolis Force reduces to almost nothing at the equator. The effect on a cyclone would be to cause it to dissipate.
Who discovered the coriolis force?
Mr Coriolis
Explain why Geostrophic wind is not possible at the equator?
The geostrophic wind balance is not possible because the Coriolis force vanishes at the Equator.
What happens if a hurricane crosses the equator?
This cannot happen because the Coriolis Force becomes negligible near the equator, and the storm would fall apart. Furthermore, the Coriolis Force acts in opposite directions on each side of the equator. Clearly, a hurricane could not be spinning in one direction, then stop spinning as it approaches the equator and start spinning in the other direction as it is on the other side!
How is the Coriolis affect different based on the hemisphere?
The Coriolis Effect is an apparent deflection of moving objects when they are viewed from a rotating reference frame. Moving objects on the surface of the Earth experience a Coriolis force, and appear to veer to the right in the northern hemisphere, and to the left in the southern hemisphere.
Why are tropical cyclones never observed within about 5 north and south latitudes?
Cyclones require, some amount of Coriolis force in order to gain their rotation. This effect is strongest at the poles and zero at the equator. Within 5 degrees of the equator, the effect is too weak for cyclones to organize.
What happens if a cyclone crosses the equator?
This is impossible. A cyclone cannot cross the equator. The reason why this cannot happen is because the Coriolis Force reduces to almost nothing at the equator. The effect on a cyclone would be to cause it to dissipate.
Is it possible for typhoon to cross the equator and continue as typhoon or does the equator change the effect of the storm?
A tropical cyclone, (i.e. a hurricane or typhoon) could not cross the equator. All cyclones depend on the Coriolis force in order to spin. The Coriolis force is greatest at the poles and nonexistent at the equator. A tropical cyclone that approaches the equator would likely degenerate into a disorganized cluster of thunderstorms. Such an event would be unusual in any case as the general wind pattern tends to steer tropical cyclones away from the equator rather than toward it.
Who discovered the coriolis force?
Mr Coriolis
Where do hurricanes occur on the equator?
No, Hurricanes occur in the tropics, but at the equator there is not enough Coriolis force to start them turning.
Why do tropical storms form near the equator?
the water near the equator is warmest.
What effect will a reduction in surface wind speed have on the Coriolis force?
The effect that a reduction in surface wind speed will have on the Coriolis force is to reduce the effect of the Coriolis force. Winds blowing at higher speeds are pulled on more by the Coriolis force, which somewhat alters the direction in which they blow.
Why south east trade winds change direction and become south west monsoon wind after crossing equator at high speed?
becoes bobo The Coriolis Force is the reason for this (which as mentioned above is subsequent to the rotation of the earth). In the Southern Hemisphere, the Coriolis deflects air motion (wind flow) to the left (to the right in the Northern Hemisphere). The extent of deflection, I.e. the strength of the Coriolis Force is proportional to the wind speed (via the Pressure Gradient Force), increasing as wind speed increases. The effect of the Coriolis force increases with Latitude, to a ZERO effect at the equator. During Australia's Winter months, The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) moves northward, to about 10-15 degrees north of the equator (in the continental regions). The ITCZ is where NE and SE trade winds converge, and thus the SE trade winds must cross the equator, and thus enter the Northern Hemisphere. Subsequently, due Coriolis force in the Northern Hemisphere, the SE trade winds are deflected to the right to become SW trade winds. NOTE: the opposite happens in Australia's Summer months with the NE wind regimes, which are deflected to the left to become the NW Monsoon. Regards, Nigel Brown
What effect causes wind and water currents to rotate opposite in the northern and southern hemisphere?
It's called the Coriolis Force, the effect of living on a rotating sphere. Imagine you are on the equator. As the Earth rotates daily you are going round 25,000 in 24 hours, so a linear speed of over 1000 mph. On the other hand, at the poles your speed is zero. If you walk northwards from the equator, your sideways speed soon starts to reduce from its maximum of 1000 mph. Moving from 44 degrees north to 46 degrees north your speed reduces from 749 mph to 724 mph, and this deceleration is produced by a force pushing you to the left as you walk - this is the Coriolis force. You can generate coriolis forces by riding on a children's roundabout: as you move around you can feel the force pushing you sideways. It the north and south hemispheres the force acts oppositely.
