With reference to “Coriolis force”, which of the following statements

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 :

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2024
The Coriolis force is an apparent force caused by the Earth’s rotation that deflects moving objects (like wind and ocean currents) to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. The magnitude of the Coriolis force (F_c) is given by F_c = 2 * m * v * ω * sin(φ), where m is the mass of the object, v is its velocity, ω is the angular velocity of the Earth’s rotation, and φ is the latitude.
Statement 1: The formula shows that F_c is directly proportional to the velocity (v) of the moving object. Thus, it increases with an increase in wind velocity. This statement is correct.
Statement 2: The term sin(φ) in the formula varies with latitude. At the equator (φ = 0°), sin(0°) = 0, so the Coriolis force is zero. At the poles (φ = 90° or -90°), sin(90°) = 1 or sin(-90°) = -1, giving the maximum magnitude (directional deflection is opposite). Thus, the Coriolis force is maximum at the poles and absent at the equator. This statement is correct.
Both statements are correct.
The Coriolis force is proportional to velocity and varies with latitude, being zero at the equator and maximum at the poles.
The Coriolis force acts perpendicular to the direction of motion. It is responsible for the deflection of winds and ocean currents, influencing large-scale atmospheric and oceanic circulation patterns, including the formation of cyclones (though it does not initiate them).