What is Coriolis Force?
-
Coriolis force is an apparent force that acts on moving objects (like winds, ocean currents) when they are viewed from a rotating frame (Earth is rotating).
-
It deflects the path of moving objects:
-
To the right in the Northern Hemisphere.
-
To the left in the Southern Hemisphere.
-
🌍 Why is Coriolis Force Zero at the Equator?
👉 Reason:
-
Coriolis force depends on Earth's rotation and latitude.
-
Its strength is proportional to sin(θ) where θ = latitude.
-
At the equator (latitude = 0°):
-
sin(0°) = 0.
-
So, Coriolis force = 0.
-
In simple words:
-
At the equator, the effect of Earth's rotation on moving objects becomes negligible.
-
Thus, moving objects at the equator move straight without deflection.
🧠 Easy Example:
-
Suppose a rocket is launched exactly along the equator (say, from Kenya).
-
It will move straight, without any right or left deflection.
-
But if launched from Delhi or New York (far from the equator), it will slightly bend due to Coriolis force.
🔥 Quick Bullet Points for Revision:
-
Coriolis force = 2 × mass × velocity × angular velocity × sin(latitude).
-
sin(0°) = 0, hence Coriolis force is zero at equator.
-
No deflection of wind or ocean currents at the equator.
-
Important in trade winds, tropical cyclone formation (cyclones can't form exactly at equator!).