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Coriolis Frequency Equation:
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The Coriolis Frequency, also called the coriolis parameter or coriolis coefficient, is equal to twice the rotation rate Ω of the earth multiplied by the sine of the latitude φ. It's a fundamental parameter in geophysical fluid dynamics that describes the effect of Earth's rotation on fluid motion.
The calculator uses the Coriolis Frequency equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation calculates the Coriolis parameter which is crucial for understanding the behavior of fluids (air and water) on a rotating Earth, particularly in meteorology and oceanography.
Details: Accurate Coriolis Frequency calculation is essential for modeling atmospheric and oceanic circulation patterns, weather forecasting, and understanding large-scale geophysical phenomena like hurricanes and ocean currents.
Tips: Enter angular speed of the Earth in rad/s (default value: 7.2921159E-05 rad/s) and Earth station latitude in radians. Both values must be valid positive numbers.
Q1: What is the typical value of Earth's angular speed?
A: The Earth's angular speed is approximately 7.2921159 × 10⁻⁵ rad/s, which corresponds to one rotation every 24 hours.
Q2: How does Coriolis Frequency vary with latitude?
A: Coriolis Frequency is zero at the equator (sin(0)=0) and maximum at the poles (sin(±π/2)=±1), following a sine function of latitude.
Q3: Why is Coriolis Frequency important in meteorology?
A: It determines the scale of weather systems and influences the direction of wind patterns and ocean currents due to the Coriolis effect.
Q4: Can I use degrees instead of radians for latitude?
A: The calculator requires latitude in radians. To convert from degrees to radians, multiply degrees by π/180.
Q5: What are typical values of Coriolis Frequency?
A: At 45° latitude (0.7854 rad), the Coriolis Frequency is approximately 1.031 × 10⁻⁴ rad/s, often referred to as the "mid-latitude" value.