The Coriolis effect

[Bernard NebelKeymaster]

Guide students to reflect on and discuss the question: Why should these eastward, westward and spiral air movements occur?

This puzzled scientists until a French mathematician-engineer-physicist by the name of Coriolis came up with the explanation in 1835. Follow the explanation and activities given in the text to help students understand what is now known as the Coriolis Effect. The following video may help:

Note that storm centers are low-pressure areas caused by rising air. Winds coming toward the low-pressure area from the north or south are diverted by the Coriolis effect setting up the spiral motion. The diversion is to right in the northern hemisphere resulting in a counterclockwise motion. the opposite in the southern hemisphere.

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