In physics, the Coriolis effect is a deflection of moving objects when the motion is described relative to a rotating reference frame. In a reference frame with clockwise rotation, the deflection is to the left of the motion of the object; in one with counter-clockwise rotation, the deflection is to the right.
Coriolis Force[]
Coriolis effect is a consequence of the Coriolis force. Coriolis force is an inertial force (or a pseudo-force) which acts on object placed in a rotating frame of reference. The Coriolis force acts in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis and to the velocity of the body in the rotating frame and is proportional to the object's speed in the rotating frame.
Formula[]
The vector formula can be given as:
- where
- m is the mass of the object
- Ω is the angular velocity vector
- v is relative velocity between the rotating system and object
This can be rewritten as:
where aC is Coriolis acceleration which is given by: