Coriolis Calculator

Coriolis Force Formula:

\[ F_c = 2 m v \Omega \sin\varphi \]

Mass (m):

Velocity (v):

m/s

Angular Velocity (Ω):

rad/s

Latitude (φ):

degrees

Coriolis Force (F_c):

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1. What is the Coriolis Force?

The Coriolis force is an inertial force that acts on objects moving within a rotating reference frame. It is responsible for the deflection of moving objects to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere, affecting weather patterns, ocean currents, and projectile motion.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Coriolis force formula:

\[ F_c = 2 m v \Omega \sin\varphi \]

Where:

\( F_c \) — Coriolis force (N)
\( m \) — Mass of the object (kg)
\( v \) — Velocity of the object (m/s)
\( \Omega \) — Angular velocity of the rotating frame (rad/s)
\( \varphi \) — Latitude (degrees)

Explanation: The Coriolis force depends on the mass and velocity of the moving object, the rotation rate of the reference frame, and the latitude where the motion occurs.

3. Importance of Coriolis Force Calculation

Details: Understanding Coriolis force is crucial in meteorology for predicting weather patterns, in oceanography for studying currents, in ballistics for long-range projectile calculations, and in various engineering applications involving rotating systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass in kilograms, velocity in meters per second, angular velocity in radians per second, and latitude in degrees (-90° to +90°). All values must be valid and within their respective ranges.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why does the Coriolis force depend on latitude?
A: The Coriolis force is maximum at the poles (sin 90° = 1) and zero at the equator (sin 0° = 0) because the effect of Earth's rotation on horizontal motion varies with latitude.

Q2: What is the typical angular velocity for Earth?
A: Earth's angular velocity is approximately 7.292 × 10⁻⁵ rad/s, which corresponds to one complete rotation every 24 hours.

Q3: Does Coriolis force affect all moving objects equally?
A: No, the effect is more significant for objects moving over long distances or at high speeds. For everyday motions over short distances, the effect is negligible.

Q4: How does Coriolis force influence weather systems?
A: It causes air masses to rotate, leading to the formation of cyclones and anticyclones, and determines the rotation direction of large-scale weather systems.

Q5: Is Coriolis force a real force?
A: Coriolis force is an apparent or inertial force that arises from observing motion in a rotating reference frame. It's not a fundamental force like gravity or electromagnetism.