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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.

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Explain why Geostrophic wind is not possible at the equator?

Geostrophic wind is not possible at the equator because the Coriolis force is negligible at the equator due to the Earth's rotation, resulting in a weak pressure gradient force dominating. This weak Coriolis force prevents the balance between pressure gradient force and Coriolis force required for geostrophic winds.


At which location does the coriolis force have the least effect on wind?

The Coriolis effect has the least effect on winds in equatorial regions and the most effect on winds in polar regions. Coriolis effect deflects winds to the right of their initial direction in the northern hemisphere and left of their initial direction 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.


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.

Related Questions

Why is the Coriolis effect zero at the equator?

The Coriolis effect is zero at the equator because the rotation of the Earth is perpendicular to the direction of motion at the equator, resulting in no deflection of moving objects.


Explain why Geostrophic wind is not possible at the equator?

Geostrophic wind is not possible at the equator because the Coriolis force is negligible at the equator due to the Earth's rotation, resulting in a weak pressure gradient force dominating. This weak Coriolis force prevents the balance between pressure gradient force and Coriolis force required for geostrophic winds.


At which location does the coriolis force have the least effect on wind?

The Coriolis effect has the least effect on winds in equatorial regions and the most effect on winds in polar regions. Coriolis effect deflects winds to the right of their initial direction in the northern hemisphere and left of their initial direction in the southern hemisphere.


Why deflection of wind become zero at the poles?

At the poles, the Coriolis force is minimal, causing the wind to be less affected by its deflective influence. The Coriolis force is based on the rotation of the Earth and is strongest at the equator, gradually weakening towards the poles. As a result, wind deflection decreases towards the poles and becomes nearly zero.


Where is Coriolis effect weakest?

The Coriolis effect is weakest at the equator because the effect is a result of the Earth's rotation, and the rotational speed is slower at the equator compared to higher latitudes. As a result, the Coriolis force is less pronounced near the equator.


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.


Show that the work done by coriolis force is zero.?

The Coriolis force is a fictitious force that arises in rotating reference frames. Since fictitious forces do no work (they do not transfer energy), the work done by the Coriolis force is zero. This is because the Coriolis force acts perpendicular to the direction of motion of an object and does not change the total mechanical energy of the system.


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!


Why can't hurricanes form at the equator?

Hurricanes cannot form at the equator because the Coriolis effect, which is needed for their formation, is too weak in that region. The Coriolis effect is a force caused by the Earth's rotation that helps hurricanes spin and develop.


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 cyclones formed on the equator?

Cyclones do not typically form on the equator because the Coriolis force is weakest at the equator, making it harder for cyclonic circulation to develop. However, cyclones can form near the equator in special circumstances when other factors, such as high sea surface temperatures and a pre-existing disturbance, are present.


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.