Coriolis force

British  

/ ˌkɒrɪˈəʊlɪs /

noun

1. a fictitious force used to explain a deflection in the path of a body moving in latitude relative to the earth when observed from the earth. The deflection ( Coriolis effect ) is due to the earth's rotation and is to the east when the motion is towards a pole

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Coriolis force Scientific  

1. A velocity-dependent pseudo force used mathematically to describe the motion of bodies in rotating reference frames such as the Earth's surface. Bodies moving on the plane of rotation appear to experience a force, leftward if the rotation of the reference frame is clockwise, rightward if counterclockwise. Such motion gives rise to the Coriolis effect.

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Etymology

Origin of Coriolis force

C19: named after Gaspard G. Coriolis (1792–1843), French civil engineer

Example Sentences

It then intensifies and starts to spin because of a phenomenon known as Coriolis force, a product of our planet's rotation.

From BBC • Oct. 9, 2024

Although this growth can be triggered by interactions with other systems, it also occurs naturally because of the Coriolis force, a phenomenon created by the interaction between Earth’s rotation and the atmosphere.

From Scientific American • Sep. 13, 2023

As the planet spins, it generates a force, called the Coriolis force, that causes fluids in each hemisphere to swirl in different directions: clockwise in the north, counterclockwise in the south.

From Scientific American • Aug. 24, 2023

He noted several principles capable of debunking the conspiracy theory, such as Foucault’s Pendulum, Coriolis force and the Pythagorean theorem.

From Washington Post • Sep. 25, 2021

He was a mini Coriolis force, trying to deflect us.

From "The London Eye Mystery" by Siobhan Dowd