Definition of Coriolis Effect

If two people are inside a turntable and are throwing a ball, it can be verified that the movement of the ball never goes in a straight line but makes a slight deviation to one side. This curious effect has a scientific explanation, the so-called Coriolis effect or force Corioli.

If we take into account that the Earth rotates permanently, the Coriolis effect manifests itself in all kinds of events. In this way, it is possible to observe it in situations such as the following: the route of a airplane, the movement of a long bullet distance, the movement of liquids or the trajectory of the winds. Thus, this effect occurs in any system of rotation when a body is in motion with respect to its reference system.

The Earth as a rotating sphere has a movement from west to east at a velocity which can reach about 1600 km / hour on the axis of the equator. Parallel to this movement, the layer of air it also scrolls. This circumstance was unknown when the first balloons were invented, since it was believed that the balloon would ascend and the Earth would move independently.

The movement of an airplane

When an aircraft wants to fly from one point to another on Earth other than in a parallel, it cannot do so flying in a straight line towards its destination, since the Earth is constantly rotating on its axis. If the plane really wanted to travel in a straight line, it would be traveling in curved line that would take him to a place other than desired. To counteract this circumstance, the pilots have to calculate the rectilinear path that anticipates the inevitable movement of the Earth. After these types of calculations, you will be able to reach your destination correctly.

The Coriolis effect is also present in the movement of the wind

In the area of ​​the equator the temperatures are high. In this way, when the air rises, it reaches a point where it begins to cool down and then descends again towards the equator. When this occurs, the trade winds change direction due to the Coriolis effect.

Any displacement the wind depends on several factors: the pressure of the air mass, the deviation of the Coriolis effect and the action of the centripetal force.

The name of the force

Like many other phenomena or elements of nature, the name of this effect comes from the name of its discoverer. In this case, it was the French engineer Gaspard-Gustave Coriolis, who in 1836 studied the movement in different rotation systems and was able to observe that the movements are not made in line straight.

Photos: Fotolia - Ffly / Konovalov Pavel