1. What is the Coriolis Effect?

The Coriolis effect is an inertial force that acts on objects moving in a rotating reference frame, such as Earth. For long-range shooting, it causes bullet trajectory deflection due to Earth's rotation.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Coriolis acceleration formula:

Where:

• \( a_c \) — Coriolis acceleration (m/s²)
• \( \omega \) — Earth's angular velocity (7.29 × 10⁻⁵ rad/s)
• \( v \) — Projectile velocity (m/s)
• \( \phi \) — Latitude (degrees)

Explanation: The Coriolis effect is maximum at the poles (φ = ±90°) and zero at the equator (φ = 0°). The acceleration acts perpendicular to the direction of motion.

3. Importance of Coriolis Effect in Shooting

Details: For long-range precision shooting (typically beyond 1000 meters), the Coriolis effect can cause significant bullet deflection. Snipers and artillery operators must account for this effect to maintain accuracy.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter Earth's angular velocity (default is 7.29×10⁻⁵ rad/s), projectile velocity in m/s, and latitude in degrees (-90° to +90°). All values must be valid and within specified ranges.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: At what ranges does Coriolis effect become significant?
A: Typically beyond 1000 meters for small arms, but becomes crucial for artillery and extreme long-range shooting beyond 1500 meters.

Q2: How does latitude affect Coriolis deflection?
A: Maximum at poles, zero at equator. In Northern Hemisphere, bullets deflect right; in Southern Hemisphere, left.

Q3: What is Earth's standard angular velocity?
A: 7.2921150 × 10⁻⁵ rad/s, which equals approximately 15 degrees per hour.

Q4: Does Coriolis affect all shooting directions equally?
A: No, maximum effect for east-west shots, zero for north-south shots at same latitude.

Q5: How much deflection can be expected?
A: For a 1000m shot at 45° latitude with 800 m/s bullet: approximately 5-10 cm deflection, increasing with distance and latitude.