The Invisible Spin: Coriolis Effect Quiz

If moving objects appear to curve on a rotating frame, then scientists must name this observation; if Gaspard-Gustave de Coriolis described this mathematically, then it is known as the Coriolis Effect.

If air rushes toward a low-pressure center, and if the Coriolis effect pulls that air to the right, then the combination of inward pull and rightward deflection creates a counter-clockwise spiral.

If the ball starts at the Equator, then it has a high eastward speed; if it travels North where the ground moves slower, then the ball's original speed carries it ahead (East) of the target.

If a weather system is characterized by air spiraling inward toward a center of low atmospheric pressure, then that system is scientifically defined as a cyclone.

If the Coriolis effect depends on the rate of motion across a rotating surface, and if the object moves faster, then the deflection per unit of time increases; therefore, the effect is stronger.

If the Earth is spinning on its axis, then different latitudes move at different speeds; if an object moves across these latitudes, its path appears to curve relative to the surface; therefore, the rotation of the Earth is the root cause.

If a person is in the Northern Hemisphere looking toward the direction of travel, and if the Earth rotates toward the East, then the target moves "under" the path to the left; therefore, the object appears to veer to the right.

If the Earth rotates toward the East, and if the observer is in the Southern Hemisphere, then the relative motion of the ground causes moving air to appear to curve toward the left.

If the effect requires large distances and long timeframes to become visible, then winds, planes, currents, and pressure systems are affected; if a sink is small and drains fast, then friction and shape matter more than Coriolis.

If rotation causes the Coriolis deflection, and if the Earth stops spinning, then the Coriolis effect becomes zero; if the effect is zero, then air will travel in straight lines directly from high to low pressure.

If there is a difference in air pressure between two areas, then air will naturally move to balance them; if we measure this change over a distance, then it is called the pressure gradient.

If air moves outward from a high-pressure center, and if the Coriolis effect deflects that moving air to the right, then the resulting spiral will move in a clockwise direction.

If an object is moving in a straight line but the observer is turning, then the path only appears to curve; if the curve is relative to the frame and not an actual push, then it is called a fictitious force.

If air moves from the horse latitudes toward the Equator (South), and if it is deflected to the right, then the wind comes from the Northeast.

If a cyclone requires the Coriolis effect to start its rotation, and if the Coriolis effect is nearly zero near the Equator, then the air cannot start spinning to form a cyclone.

If the Coriolis effect depends on the change in rotational speed between latitudes, and if those speeds change most slowly at the Equator, then the effect is zero at the Equator and strongest at the poles.

If the Earth is a sphere rotating once every 24 hours, then the Equator (the widest part) must travel a larger distance than the poles; therefore, the surface speed must decrease as you move toward the poles.

If air moves toward a low-pressure center and the Coriolis effect deflects it to the left, then the resulting circular motion must be clockwise.

If the Earth is a sphere, then the circumference is greatest at the Equator; if the whole Earth rotates in 24 hours, then the point with the most distance to cover must be moving the fastest.

If the Coriolis effect is very weak, then it needs a long distance or a long time to create a noticeable curve; if a cup is small and water moves quickly, then the effect is too small to overcome other forces.