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 :

QUESTION

Easy

Physical Geography

Prelims 2024

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.

Select the answer using the code given below :

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Explanation

Statement 1 is Correct: The Coriolis force is directly proportional to the velocity of the moving object. Therefore, as wind velocity increases, the magnitude of the Coriolis force acting on it also increases, leading to a greater deflection.

Statement 2 is Correct: The Coriolis force is proportional to the sine of the latitude. At the equator (0° latitude), the sine of 0° is zero, so the Coriolis force is absent. At the poles (90° latitude), the sine of 90° is 1 (maximum), making the Coriolis force strongest at these points. It is important to note that while the linear velocity of Earth's rotation is highest at the equator and zero at the poles, the Coriolis effect depends on the rotation of the coordinate system itself, which is most pronounced at the poles.

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