Coriolis Effect (Noun)
Meaning
(physics) an effect whereby a body moving in a rotating frame of reference experiences the Coriolis force acting perpendicular to the direction of motion and to the axis of rotation; on Earth the Coriolis effect deflects moving bodies to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural phenomena.
Examples
- The trajectory of a missile depends on the latitude at which it is launched due to the Coriolis effect.
- Understanding the Coriolis effect is crucial in meteorology to predict the movement of hurricanes and storms.
- Pilots must consider the Coriolis effect while navigating long-distance flights across different latitudes.
- In large-scale ocean circulation, the Coriolis effect plays a significant role in the formation of major currents and eddies.
- The rotation of the Earth and the resulting Coriolis effect have significant implications for global climate patterns.