It's called the Coriolis Affect. In the N. Hemisphere objects deflect to their left while in the S. Hemisphere they deflect to their right.<br /><br />Weather on the other hand is just a little more involved. Low pressure systems (wind blowing toward the center) rotate ccw, while high pressure systems (wind blowing out from the center) rotate cw. The opposite is true in the S. Hemisphere. <br /><br />Imagine you are throwing a baseball from the N. Pole to a person standing on the equator while the Earth at the same time is rotating on its axis from right to left from your vantage point. In order for the person to catch your throw, you would have to lead him by throwing to the left of him. In the end, the ball travels in a straight line, but if the ball could scribe a line in the earth as it travels from the NP to the equatore, the line would show a curve to the left.<br /><br />Air, having little friction between it and the ground follows the same physical laws.
<br /><br />Have you any thoughts on the coriolis effect upon soap bubbles?Nope. I guess I never payed that close attention. I don't believe the coriolis effect could have anything to do with it though. The coriolis is an effect caused by the earth spinning. It does not cause the earth to spin. If the bubble rotates, it would be caused by areas of the bubble having a greater amount of friction on one side compared to the other. The same reason a baseball pitcher scrapes up one side of a baseball. It increases friction on one area of the ball, causing it to spin at a greater rate through the air. Thus, enhancing his breaking ball.<br /><br />As far as drains go... in an area that is not being influenced by wind, by water jets or any type of movement besides that caused by the spinning earth, the coriolis effect would absolutely cause the water to flow toward the drain ccw in the NH.<br /><br />DJ, I am not sure I understand your remarks or their intent. Please explain.
