Homework Help: Coriolis force

1. Apr 27, 2008

ehrenfest

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
http://www.physics.oregonstate.edu/~mcintyre/COURSES/ph429_S06/hw1.pdf

See question 3. I am really stuck trying to answer part c. I looked over the solutions to parts a and b and I really just cannot figure out what is going on. This is very weird.

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

2. Apr 27, 2008

mjsd

a rotating frame is not an inertial reference frame

3. Apr 27, 2008

ehrenfest

thanks, but I really don't see how that answers the question

In fact, I think that Marion and Thornton make an error in their book. There is no reason why the deflections should be in different directions. Does anyone have the book? If not, I can scan the relevant section which is like 2 pages long if someone agrees to read it.

Last edited: Apr 27, 2008
4. Apr 27, 2008

pam

The Coriolis force is proportional to vector velocity, which changes sign.
You can also see this using conservation of angular momentum.