Coriolis Effect on Water in a Sink

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the Coriolis effect on water in a sink, specifically in the northern hemisphere. The key equation used is F = -2m(wv), where 'w' represents angular velocity in radians per second. The user seeks clarification on estimating angular velocity and its application in determining acceleration and distance of deflection. The conversation highlights the need for a clear understanding of angular velocity related to Earth's rotation to solve the problem accurately.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Coriolis effect
  • Familiarity with angular velocity in radians per second
  • Knowledge of Newton's second law (F = ma)
  • Basic physics equations related to motion (e.g., v² = 2ad)
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the Earth's angular velocity and its relevance to the Coriolis effect
  • Study the application of the Coriolis force in fluid dynamics
  • Explore advanced physics problems involving rotational motion
  • Learn about the effects of the Coriolis effect in meteorology and oceanography
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Students studying physics, particularly those interested in fluid dynamics and the Coriolis effect, as well as educators looking for practical examples to illustrate these concepts.

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Homework Statement



v = 0.05m/s (was told to estimate the velocity of water)

a)What is the acceleration "a" the water will feel, deflecting it to the right (if the sink is to the northern hemisphere)

b)Across the size of the sink, over what distance would the water be deflected to the right at this rate of acceleration?

Homework Equations



F= -2m(wv) = ma

where w is angular velocity (measured radians per second)

The Attempt at a Solution



For question a), I can do the problem if I estimate the w, which is angular velocity. This is because F= ma = -2m(wv).
The mass cancels out, so the equation becomes:
a = -2(wv)
What I'm not sure is if there is a sure answer for angular velocity, since the question only tells me to estimate the velocity of the water and didn't tell me to estimate the angular velocity. If there is an actual angular velocity, I would appreciate someone pointing me in the right direction.

For question b), I've never seen a question like this. I know the formula v2=2ad from physics 12, so I can plug in the velocity and acceleration from the previous question, but I'm not sure if I'm supposed to use this formula because we weren't taught it in class.

From the given formula that we had to work with (Coriolis force formula), I can't seem to find anything to do with distance.
 
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I would assume for angular velocity you use the spinning Earth's angular velocity since this is all about the Coriollis affect. For the second part maybe someone else can have some input on it, not sure what other formula you can use there.
 
Thank you JoeyStorm. I was thinking that too, but I thought the angular velocity needed to be the speed in which the water rotated. I guess your way makes more sense then mine.
 

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