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20.12 Wind
20.12.2 Describe the effect of the Coriolis force on moving air.
The Coriolis force is an apparent force caused by the rotation of the Earth.
It causes moving air to be deflected:
- to the left in the Southern Hemisphere
- to the right in the Northern Hemisphere
The Coriolis force does not start the wind. Air begins moving because of the pressure gradient force, from higher pressure toward lower pressure. Once the air is moving, the Coriolis force changes its direction.
The Coriolis effect:
- is zero at the equator
- becomes stronger toward the poles
- increases as wind speed increases
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