Figure 15 – forces governing air movement

The degree of the deflecting force varies with the speed of the moving air and with latitude. The faster the wind, the greater the effect of rotation can be. Similarly, the rate of deflection increases with the increasing distance from the Equator because the Coriolis force is zero at the Equator and maximum at Poles. It must be noted that it is an apparent or relative deflection. If viewed from outer space, objects moving across the face of the earth would not in fact appear to be deflected. In relation to star positions, they would travel in a straight line, while the earth

rotates beneath them. The phenomenon affects all freely moving objects – air, ocean currents, rockets and projectiles etc. Thus, it is not actually any force. But it is simplest to accept that deflection is caused by a force.