gen-define-the-coriolis-effect-and-give-one-short-worked-example-dbbf

Define the Coriolis effect and give one short worked example.

# Coriolis Effect The **Coriolis effect** is the apparent deflection of moving objects (air, water, projectiles) when viewed from a rotating reference frame, such as Earth. In the Northern Hemisphere, moving objects deflect to the right; in the Southern Hemisphere, they deflect to the left. ## Formula The Coriolis acceleration is given by: **a_c = 2Ωv sin(φ)** where: - Ω = Earth's angular velocity (7.27 × 10⁻⁵ rad/s) - v = object's velocity - φ = latitude ## Worked Example **Problem:** An aircraft flies due north at 250 m/s at latitude 45°N. What is the Coriolis acceleration, and which direction does it deflect? **Solution:** a_c = 2Ωv sin(φ) a_c = 2(7.27 × 10⁻⁵)(250)(sin 45°) a_c = 2(7.27 × 10⁻⁵)(250)(0.707) a_c = **0.026 m/s²** **Direction:** To the **right** (eastward), since the aircraft is in the Northern Hemisphere. Over a 1-hour flight, this would deflect the aircraft approximately 167 km eastward if uncorrected!