billiards said:If The Simpsons has any scientific credibility (& the UK's 'teach physics' advertisements) then water does turn according to which hemisphere you're in. Then again it might not matter, they could well be wrong.
How about some elaboration, why?
I know you're smart people, prove it.
The spinning motion of water down a plug hole is caused by a phenomenon known as the Coriolis Effect. This is the result of the Earth's rotation and the shape of its surface, which causes objects moving on its surface to appear to deviate from a straight path.
Contrary to popular belief, the direction of water spinning down a plug hole is not affected by the hemisphere. The Coriolis Effect has a negligible impact on small-scale motions like water draining from a sink or bathtub.
Yes, the Coriolis Effect can be observed in other phenomena, such as the rotation of hurricanes and the path of ocean currents. However, these are on a much larger scale and therefore have a more noticeable impact.
No, the size and shape of the sink or bathtub do not have a significant impact on the direction of water spinning. The main factor is the initial motion or turbulence of the water before it starts draining.
Technically, yes, it is possible to reverse the direction of water spinning down a plug hole. However, this would require a highly controlled environment and precise conditions, making it difficult to achieve in a regular household setting.