Coriolis effect and the acceleration experienced in a rotating frame

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Coriolis effect and the acceleration experienced in a rotating frame, examining the relationship between tangential velocity, centripetal acceleration, and the forces at play in such a system. Participants explore theoretical aspects and implications of motion within a rotating reference frame.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the Coriolis acceleration is related to the increase in tangential velocity as one moves away from the center of a rotating frame.
  • Others argue that the Coriolis effect is more complex and depends on the velocity in a rotating reference frame, particularly when moving radially versus tangentially.
  • A participant mentions that moving tangentially in a rotating frame results in a change in velocity, which complicates the understanding of the forces involved.
  • Some contributions highlight that centripetal and Coriolis forces are not mutually exclusive and that both play roles in the dynamics of motion in a rotating frame.
  • There is a discussion about how the Coriolis force can be viewed as a velocity-dependent modification of the centrifugal force, with some participants providing intuitive explanations.
  • A participant expresses confusion regarding the nature of forces experienced in a rotating frame, questioning the distinction between real and fictitious forces.
  • Another participant emphasizes that the interpretation of the Coriolis effect can vary based on the context of motion, such as being stationary versus moving in a rotating frame.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus, as multiple competing views remain regarding the nature of the Coriolis effect, the relationship between centripetal and Coriolis forces, and the interpretation of forces in a rotating frame.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations include the dependence on definitions of forces in non-inertial frames, the complexity of motion in rotating systems, and the unresolved mathematical relationships between the forces discussed.

member 743765
Is the reason behind coriolis acceleration is that as you move far from the centre of a rotating frame the tangential velocity increases?
 
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If by "tangential velocity increases" you mean "the tangential velocity of a fixed point in the rotating frame relative to an inertial frame", yes, partially. It describes the Coriolis effect when you move radially. If you move tangentially it is the effect of moving with/against the rotation.
 
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Orodruin said:
If by "tangential velocity increases" you mean "the tangential velocity of a fixed point in the rotating frame relative to an inertial frame", yes, partially. It describes the Coriolis effect when you move radially. If you move tangentially it is the effect of moving with/against the rotation.
But what do u mean moving tangentially I think in that case your velocity wouldn't be constant so it is always true I think
 
Constant in what frame?
 
Orodruin said:
Constant in what frame?
I mean consider a rotating disk it consists of infinite concentric circles so any linear uniform motion will take you from one circle to another so the radius of rotation changes and the tangential speed increases
 
phyahmad said:
I mean consider a rotating disk it consists of infinite concentric circles so any linear uniform motion will take you from one circle to another so the radius of rotation changes and the tangential speed increases
Linear uniform motion relative to the noninertial frame
 
phyahmad said:
I mean consider a rotating disk it consists of infinite concentric circles so any linear uniform motion will take you from one circle to another so the radius of rotation changes and the tangential speed increases
But as I said, this does not explain the part of the Coriolis effect when you move along one of the circles. If you move along a circle in the direction of rotation, you will be pushed outwards by the Coriolis effect. If you move against the direction of rotation, you will be pushed inwards.

On a merry-go-round in the night,
Coriolis was shaken with fright.
Despite how he walked,
'Twas like he was stalked,
By some fiend always pushing him right.

https://www.physics.harvard.edu/undergrad/limericks
 
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Orodruin said:
But as I said, this does not explain the part of the Coriolis effect when you move along one of the circles. If you move along a circle in the direction of rotation, you will be pushed outwards by the Coriolis effect. If you move against the direction of rotation, you will be pushed inwards.

On a merry-go-round in the night,
Coriolis was shaken with fright.
Despite how he walked,
'Twas like he was stalked,
By some fiend always pushing him right.

https://www.physics.harvard.edu/undergrad/limericks
My friend moving along one of the circles means there is acceleration relative to the noninertial frame (centripetal)
 
  • #10
phyahmad said:
My friend moving along one of the circles means there is acceleration relative to the noninertial frame (centripetal)
What is the point of this thread?

Coriolis and centripetal acceleration are not mutually exclusive.
 
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  • #11
phyahmad said:
My friend moving along one of the circles means there is acceleration relative to the noninertial frame (centripetal)
No. In the rotating frame, there are two non-inertial contributions to the radial force. One is the centrifugal effect, which only depends on the distance from the rotational center, but the Coriolis effect also plays a role if an object is moving along one of the circles as seen in the rotating frame.

Consider an object at rest in the inertial frame. Such an object will move in circles in the rotating frame, meaning that the net force must be a centripetal force of appropriate size. However, the centrifugal force is pointing outwards, not inwards, and therefore cannot supply that centripetal force. The centripetal force for such an object (as seen in the rotating frame) comes from the Coriolis effect, which supplies an inward force of twice the magnitude of the Coriolis force, because the object is moving tangentially in the rotating frame.
 
  • #12
phyahmad said:
My friend moving along one of the circles means there is acceleration relative to the noninertial frame (centripetal)
But the required centripetal force changes when he moves tangentially in the rotating frame, and that modification of the required centripetal force coresponds to the radial Coriolis force.

From a previous thread:
A.T. said:
One intuitive way to think about the radial Coriolis force, is as a velocity dependent modification of the centrifugal force. In fact you could order the inertial force terms in a rotating frame by direction, and lump the radial Coriolis force with radial centrifugal force together. But for mathematical and historical reasons we separate them as position dependent term (centrifugal) and a velocity dependent term (Coriolis).
https://www.physicsforums.com/threa...ed-by-tangential-velocity.977984/post-6238568
 
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  • #13
Okay but I thought that if the particle is rotating so it has centripetal acceleration relative to noninertial frame the force here is real not fictitious and thats what I meant
 
  • #14
phyahmad said:
Okay but I thought that if the particle is rotating so it has centripetal acceleration relative to noninertial frame the force here is real not fictitious and thats what I meant
Yes, but to make Newton 2nd Law work in the rotating frame you introduce a inertial centrifugal force that balances the real centripetal force for objects at rest in the rotating frame. But if they move tangentially in the rotating frame, the centripetal force is different and so you need a velocity dependent radial inertial force term to make Newton 2nd work again. That is the radial Coriolis force.
 
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  • #15
PeroK said:
What is the point of this thread?
The Maths of the topic are hardly a matter for dispute.

Imo, the thread (argument) has taken off because the question has been interpreted in more than one way. In a rotating frame, the coriolis 'force' only manifests itself when you try to move. When you're stationary (in the frame), you only experience the (reaction to) the centrifugal force. The coriolis force gives two different experiences when on a rotating disc; when you are not connected to the disc, your path over the surface (a thrown object perhaps) will be a curve which you interpret as a force, pushing you off course. Very non-newtonian behaviour for a free object. When you move along a straight rail, you experience an tangible sideways force. (I realise that the true Physicists amongst us will say they are the same thing but intuition often conflicts with Maths). When you are on a playground roundabout and you try to move your arm, you have no idea about your 'course'; all you feel is a very noticeable force when you try to move your arm. Kids know no maths; ask them about what they feel on a roundabout.
 

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