Modelling the Coriolis Effect
Materials: A balloon and one permanent marker
In order to model the Coriolis Effect, we used a balloon to imitate the Earth. We inflated the balloon and labeled the center (or what we thought was the center) to indicate the equator. Then, we marked the North and South Poles. After we finished marking everything, we observed which direction the balloon rotates when observing it from both Poles. One partner then drew a line from North Pole to the equator. The same went for the South Pole.
In order to model the Coriolis Effect, we used a balloon to imitate the Earth. We inflated the balloon and labeled the center (or what we thought was the center) to indicate the equator. Then, we marked the North and South Poles. After we finished marking everything, we observed which direction the balloon rotates when observing it from both Poles. One partner then drew a line from North Pole to the equator. The same went for the South Pole.
Questions
1. As you look down from the North Pole towards the equator, which way is the balloon spinning, clockwise or counterclockwise? Explain what you see and why.
The balloon is spinning counterclockwise because it rotates from the west to east in the Northern Hemisphere.
2. As you look up from the South Pole toward the equator, which way is the balloon spinning, clockwise or counterclockwise? Explain what you see and why.
The balloon is spinning clockwise because it rotates from the east to west in the Southern Hemisphere.
3. What happened when you tried to draw a straight line from the North Pole to the equator? Explain what you see and why.
The line went east due to the counterclockwise rotation.
4. What happened when you tried to draw a straight line from the South Pole to the equator? Explain what you see and why.
The line went west due to the clockwise rotation.
5. Predict what would happen if you again drew lines in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres but with the earth rotating in the opposite direction.
The northern line would rotate to the west with clockwise rotation whereas the southern line rotates to the east with counterclockwise rotation.
The balloon is spinning counterclockwise because it rotates from the west to east in the Northern Hemisphere.
2. As you look up from the South Pole toward the equator, which way is the balloon spinning, clockwise or counterclockwise? Explain what you see and why.
The balloon is spinning clockwise because it rotates from the east to west in the Southern Hemisphere.
3. What happened when you tried to draw a straight line from the North Pole to the equator? Explain what you see and why.
The line went east due to the counterclockwise rotation.
4. What happened when you tried to draw a straight line from the South Pole to the equator? Explain what you see and why.
The line went west due to the clockwise rotation.
5. Predict what would happen if you again drew lines in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres but with the earth rotating in the opposite direction.
The northern line would rotate to the west with clockwise rotation whereas the southern line rotates to the east with counterclockwise rotation.
Flight Simulator Things
After playing with balloons, we went on a flight simulator online to review our knowledge of the Hemisphere rotations.