PURPOSE: To illustrate the Coriolis effect for a fluid source and sink.
DESCRIPTION: As the water tank rotates water is pumped out the bottom of the tank at a "LOW" and back into the bottom of the tank at a "HIGH." If the tank is rotated counterclockwise, the water circulation is counterclockwise around the LOW and clockwise around the HIGH, as indicated by the flags. This simulates the Coriolis effect in the northern hemisphere, which produces cyclones around low pressure areas and anticyclones around high pressure areas. Rotating the tank clockwise simulates the effect in the southern hemisphere.
SUGGESTIONS:
REFERENCES: (PIRA 1E30.36) See Demonstration Reference File for information on construction of this device as well as papers on the bathtub vortex and other Coriolis phenomena.
EQUIPMENT: Rotating tank, variac for pump motor, DC power supply for tank rotation.
SETUP TIME: 10 min.
 |  |  |  |  |