Coriolis Effect Calculator

The Coriolis effect is an apparent deflection observed when motion is described from a rotating reference frame. Earth rotates beneath moving air, water, aircraft, and projectiles, so their paths appear to curve relative to the surface. The object is not pushed sideways by a new physical interaction in an inertial frame; the Coriolis term arises because the observer and coordinate system rotate. For horizontal motion in the simplified latitude model, Coriolis acceleration magnitude is 2 times Earth's angular speed times object speed times the absolute sine of latitude. This calculator uses an Earth rotation rate of 7.2921 times 10 to the minus 5 radians per second. Multiplying acceleration by mass gives the corresponding force magnitude. Speed is converted to metres per second and mass to kilograms before calculation. Latitude controls both strength and direction. At the equator, sine of zero is zero, so this component vanishes. Its magnitude increases toward either pole and reaches its maximum at plus or minus ninety degrees. In the Northern Hemisphere, motion is deflected to the right relative to its direction of travel. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is deflected to the left. The calculator displays a positive magnitude and states the side separately. Meteorology uses Coriolis dynamics to understand large-scale winds, pressure systems, and cyclone rotation. Oceanography applies it to currents and gyres. Aviation, rocketry, surveying, and long-range ballistics may include rotation corrections when travel time and distance make the accumulated displacement meaningful. Everyday short motions are usually too slow or brief for the effect to be noticeable. The simple formula shown here represents a horizontal velocity under idealized conditions. Full three-dimensional navigation uses the vector expression involving the cross product of the rotation vector and velocity. Direction then depends on heading, vertical motion, and the local coordinate frame, not latitude alone. Accurate trajectory prediction also includes gravity, drag, lift, winds, Earth curvature, changing altitude, and changing latitude. Use this calculator for order-of-magnitude estimates and conceptual study. A large reported force does not by itself reveal displacement, because displacement also depends on duration and the rest of the object's dynamics. For operational flight, marine navigation, artillery, or engineering safety, use validated trajectory software and current environmental data rather than this educational approximation.