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Horizontal Component of Coriolis Acceleration is defined as the acceleration due to the rotation of the earth, experienced by particles (water parcels, for example) moving along the earth's surface.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: 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. Horizontal Speed across the Earth's Surface is defined as the velocity of a motion problem deals with motion in the x direction.
Details: Accurate calculation of Coriolis acceleration is crucial for understanding atmospheric and oceanic circulation patterns, weather forecasting, and studying large-scale geophysical flows.
Tips: Enter Coriolis Frequency in s⁻¹ and Horizontal Speed in m/s. Both values must be non-negative.
Q1: What is the physical significance of Coriolis acceleration?
A: Coriolis acceleration is an apparent force that acts on moving objects in a rotating reference frame, causing deflection to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere.
Q2: How is Coriolis frequency calculated?
A: Coriolis frequency is calculated as f = 2Ωsin(φ), where Ω is the Earth's rotation rate (7.292×10⁻⁵ rad/s) and φ is the latitude.
Q3: Does Coriolis effect affect small-scale motions?
A: Coriolis effect is significant for large-scale motions (weather systems, ocean currents) but negligible for small-scale motions like water draining in a sink.
Q4: How does Coriolis acceleration vary with latitude?
A: Coriolis acceleration is maximum at the poles and zero at the equator, varying with the sine of the latitude.
Q5: What are typical values of Coriolis frequency?
A: At 45° latitude, f ≈ 1.031×10⁻⁴ s⁻¹. The value ranges from 0 at the equator to ±1.458×10⁻⁴ s⁻¹ at the poles.