# Helium Balloon and Compton Generator

1. Dec 2, 2007

### Sculptured

From Classical Mechanics by Taylor:

"The Compton generator is a beautiful demonstration of the Coriolis force due to the earth's rotation,.... A narrow glass tube in the shape of a torus or ring (radius R of the ring >> radius of the tube) is filled with water, plus some dust particles to let one see any motion of the water. The ring and water are initially stationary and horizontal, but the ring is then spun through 180 degrees about its east--west diameter. Explain why this should cause the water to move around the tube. Show that the speed of the water just after the 180 degree turn should be 2 $$\Omega$$ R cos[$$\theta$$] . $$\Omega$$ is the earth's angular velocity and $$\theta$$ is the colatitude...."

Alright, so I've figured that in the rotating frame if you make the 180 spin in the direction of the earth then the southern portion has a force to the west and the northern portion has one to the east. This causes the torque upon the water and its subsequent motion. Now, the only way I can solve the problem is to get out into the inertial frame but I'd like to know how to find the speed using the effect of the colioris force. Any advice on where to begin in this direction?