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Coriolis Force: How does the Earth's rotation modify the Wind?
Wind does not cross the isobars at right angles as the pressure-gradient force directs.
All free-moving objects, including wind, are deflected to the right of their path of motion in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left of their path of motion in the Southern Hemisphere.
The reason for this deflection is the Coriolis force:
where m is the mass and u is the velocity vector of a fluid parcel, and is the rotation vector of the Earth.
The magnitude of the Coriolis force is:
where is the latitude, f = 2 sin is called the Coriolis parameter, and u is the magnitude of the velocity.
The Coriolis force written in vector form clearly indicates that
It is directed at right angles to the direction of air flow.
It affects only wind direction, not the wind speed.
Its magnitude is affected by wind speed (the stronger the wind, the greater the deflecting force).
Its magnitude increases from zero at the Equator to a maximum at the poles.
The Coriolis force thus has the effect of deflecting air flow. It also has the effect of deflecting ocean currents.
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoIt really helps to have a visual, so refer to the diagram that I linked.
Basically, it's due to the coriolis force and the pressure gradient force. Since there is so much insolation (incoming solar radiation) at the equator, air readily rises and forms a general area of low pressure at this latitudes. This facilitates the development of a belt of high pressure around 30 degrees and another low pressure belt at 60 degrees. Keep in mind the Westerlies flow in the mid-latitudes, i.e. between 30 and 60 degrees. A fundamental concept is that air flows from high to low pressure, which means if the pressure gradient force were the only force we had to deal with, the air would flow from south to north in the mid-latitudes. But because the earth rotates, we have to factor in the coriolis force. This force deflects objects to the right in the northern hemisphere. Therefore, the wind tends to be roughly out of the west at these latitudes.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoThe axis of the earth is tilted at 23o, and this does not change as it orbits the sun. As a result, for half of the year, one hemisphere receives more sunlight per day (12+ hours) and the other half receives less sunlight per day (0-12 hours).
During the winter solstice, the northern hemisphere is pointed away from the sun, resulting in reduce sunlight. Despite the fact that the earth is actually closer to the sun at the winter solstice, it's this reduction in sunlight that results in the season of winter.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agojust why they change in the southern hemisphere..!!
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoBecause if clocks turned anti-clockwise, time wouldn't work as well and math equations would be immensely affected.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agobecause there are more land on the north hemysphere and more people, so it is taller on average
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoThey do it because in those areas the sun in the daytime remains in the north.So the houses face north to get more sunlight.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoit shines in the west.
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What is it called when the paths of winds and ocean currents seem to curve because of the earths rotation?
It's called the 'Coriolis effect'. In the northern hemisphere, they rotate clockwise. South of the equator, they rotate counter-clockwise.
Which equinox occurs in september in the northern hemisphere?
The fall equinox occurs in September in the Northern Hemisphere.
In the northern hemisphere the sun sets in the what?
In the Northern Hemisphere, the Sun apparently rises in the east and sets in the west. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is the other way around. The Sun rises in the west and sets in the east. Note that the Sun does not actually move, it is Earth that makes it appear to move.
Is the equader someting to do with the hemisphere?
The Equator, the imaginary line like a belt round the Earth, divides the world into two hemispheres. the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere
How many constellations are there in the northern hemisphere?
first question, how many asses can you find in your dick, then there is your answer, NONE
Do high pressure go clockwise?
In the northern hemisphere, yes.
Do currents in the northern hemisphere flow clockwise?
Yes, in the northern hemisphere the currents flow clockwise.
Do tornadoes go clockwise?
The vast moajirty of tornadoes in the southern hemisphere rotate clockwise, but most in the northern hemisphere rotate counterclockwise.
In a low pressure system which direction do winds in the northern hemisphere blow?
In the northern hemisphere the circulation around a high is clockwise. In the southern hemisphere the circulation around a high is counter-clockwise.
Which direction does air flow in a cyclone?
Counter-clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere, and clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere.
Do the Northern Hemisphere travel clockwise or counterclockwise?
clockwise
What direction is the Coriolis effect in the northern and southern hemisphere?
In the Northern hemisphere, the direction is clockwise... In the Southern, it turns anti-clockwise.
What direction do surface winds circulate in a high pressure system in the northern hemisphere?
They circulate clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere, and counter clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
Do tornados spin clockwise?
Most tornadoes in the northern hemisphere spin counter clockwise while most in the southern hemisphere spin clockwise.
Which way do currents move in the northern hemisphere southern hemisphere?
Currents in the Northern Hemisphere move in a clockwise direction. Currents in the Southern Hemisphere move in a counter clockwise direction.
How do anti-cyclones spiral in the northern hemisphere?
Anticyclones in the northern hemisphere rotate clockwise.
What direction does a cyclone spin in the northern hemisphere?
A typhoon in the northern hemisphere rotates counter-clockwise, in contrast to a typhoon in the southern hemisphere which rotates the other way (i.e., clockwise) as explained by the Coriolis effect.
