Lesson 33
Rotating Reference Frames, Coriolis Force

1) If we observe an object in motion from the vantage point of a rotating coordinate system, we observe an effective force on the object given by:

.

For each term in this expression, please (i) offer a brief explanation of what the term is, and (ii) think of and provide actual real-world scenarios that would have that term be (a) zero, and (b) non-zero. Pitch your description and explanation as if you were explaining this to a non-physics major friend you have.

2) Suppose you drop a ball off the top of Pike's Peak. If it could land down at sea level and not be affected by air resistance on the way down, about how much would its landing spot be deflected because of the influence of the Coriolis force?

3) If you throw something while standing on the surface of the Earth, the Coriolis force will cause it to

1. deflect to the left of its motion (as shown by the blue path in the figure) independent of your position on the Earth
2. deflect to the right of its motion (as shown by the red path in the figure) independent of your position on the Earth
3. deflect to the left (blue) of its motion in the Northern Hemisphere and to the right (red) in the Southern Hemisphere
4. deflect to the right (red) of its motion in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left (blue) in the Southern Hemisphere

You may change your mind as often as you wish. When you are satisfied with your responses click the SUBMIT button.

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