An object attempting to move into or out of a rotating reference frame will experience 2 apparent forces: one outward (centrifugal) and one sideways ( Coriolis ). Learn what Coriolis force is, how it affects the motion of objects in a rotating reference frame, and how it differs from centrifugal and Euler forces. See illustrations of Coriolis acceleration and force with a merry-go-round and a ball. Coriolis force is an apparent force caused by the earth’s rotation. The Coriolis force is responsible for deflecting winds towards the right in the northern hemisphere and towards the left in the southern hemisphere. The Coriolis effect describes the pattern of deflection taken by objects not firmly connected to the ground as they travel long distances around Earth. The Coriolis effect is responsible for many large-scale weather patterns. The key to the Coriolis effect lies in Earth’s rotation. Specifically, Earth rotates faster at the Equator than it does at the poles. Earth is wider at the Equator, so to make a rotation in one 24-hour period, equatorial regions race nearly 1,600 kilometers (1,000 ...
