[Solved] With reference to “Coriolis force”, which of the following statements is/are correct? It increases with increase in wind velocity. It is maximum at the poles and is absent at the equator.

Q84. With reference to “Coriolis force”, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It increases with increase in wind velocity.
2. It is maximum at the poles and is absent at the equator.

Select the answer using the code given below:

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer :3

• The direction of surface winds is usually controlled by the pressure gradient and the rotation of the earth . Because of rotation of the earth along it’s axis the winds are deflected. The force which deflects the direction of winds is called deflection force.This force is called Coriolis force . Because of Coriolis force all the winds are deflected to the right in the northern hemisphere while they are deflected to the left in the southern hemisphere with respect to the rotating earth.
• The Coriolis force is directly proportional to the angle of latitude . It is maximum at poles and is absent at the equator. It becomes maximum at the poles due to minimum rotational speed of the earth while it becomes zero at the equator .
• The magnitude of Coriolis force is determined by wind speed. The higher the wind speed , the greater is the deflection of wind direction due to resultant greater deflective( Coriolis) force .