Coriolis Force

Key Stage 4

Meaning

The coriolis force is an apparent force which acts on all moving objects on Earth due to the Earth's rotation.

About the Coriolis Force

All objects tend to move in a straight line, but due to the Earth rotating that straight line can appear curved as if the objected were being pushed by a force.

The wind is subject to the coriolis force leading to the formation of hurricanes.

The coriolis force is the reason weather patterns in the Northern Hemisphere appear to rotate anticlockwise while weather patters in the Southern Hemisphere appear to rotate in a clockwise direction.