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The Coriolis force is a result of the Earth's rotation affecting moving objects.
The Coriolis force is a fictitious force that appears to act on moving objects due to the Earth's rotation. It is named after French mathematician Gaspard-Gustave de Coriolis, who first described the phenomenon in 1835. The force is perpendicular to the direction of motion and the axis of rotation, causing objects to deflect to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Coriolis force is caused by the Earth's rotation, which causes different parts of the planet to move at different speeds. This means that objects moving over the Earth's surface are not moving in a straight line, but are instead following a curved path. The Coriolis force is strongest at the poles, where the Earth's rotation is fastest, and weakest at the equator, where the rotation is slowest.
The Coriolis force has a significant impact on weather patterns, ocean currents, and the flight paths of aircraft. It is also important in the design of large structures, such as skyscrapers and bridges, which must be able to withstand the forces caused by the Earth's rotation. Understanding the Coriolis force is therefore essential for many areas of physics and engineering.
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