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Coriolis force
noun
: an apparent force that as a result of the earth's rotation deflects moving objects (such as projectiles or air currents) to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere
Examples of Coriolis force in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
If toilets aren’t subject to Coriolis forces, hair certainly isn’t either, Willems says.
—Bethany Brookshire, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2024
In the reference frame of the rotating spacecraft, there is another force to think about: the Coriolis force.
—Rhett Allain, Wired, 14 May 2021
By the end of the motion, the Coriolis force is almost 1 g.
—Rhett Allain, Wired, 14 May 2021
Land falling cyclones are almost unheard of in Tanzania due to its close proximity to the equator, where the Coriolis force -- what causes the storm to rotate -- is weaker.
—Pedram Javaheri, CNN, 22 Apr. 2021
Proof of this includes the Coriolis force.
—Eleanor McCrary, USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2020
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Word History
Etymology
Gaspard G. Coriolis †1843 French civil engineer
First Known Use
1923, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near Coriolis force
Cite this Entry
“Coriolis force.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Coriolis%20force. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
Coriolis force
noun
: a force that as a result of the earth's rotation acts on a body in motion (as a projectile)
More from Merriam-Webster on Coriolis force
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Coriolis force
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