Coriolis force

/ ˌkɒrɪˈəʊlɪs /

noun

1. a fictitious force used to explain a deflection in the path of a body moving in latitude relative to the earth when observed from the earth. The deflection ( Coriolis effect ) is due to the earth's rotation and is to the east when the motion is towards a pole

Coriolis force

1. A velocity-dependent pseudo force used mathematically to describe the motion of bodies in rotating reference frames such as the Earth's surface. Bodies moving on the plane of rotation appear to experience a force, leftward if the rotation of the reference frame is clockwise, rightward if counterclockwise. Such motion gives rise to the Coriolis effect.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Coriolis force¹

C19: named after Gaspard G. Coriolis (1792–1843), French civil engineer