Coriolis Acceleration

Coriolis acceleration

Coriolis acceleration (also called rotational acceleration) is the apparent acceleration that occurs in a frame of reference associated with a rotating object (such as the Earth). It is caused by differences in speed between different points on a rotating object.

This phenomenon is named after the French mathematician and mechanic Gaspard Gustave Coriolis (1792-1843), who first described it in 1835.

Coriolis acceleration plays an important role in meteorology and oceanography because it influences the movement of air masses in the atmosphere and ocean currents. For example, it is responsible for the deflection of moving objects in the northern hemisphere to the right, and in the southern hemisphere - to the left relative to the direction of their movement.

Coriolis acceleration is also taken into account when launching long-range missiles and when navigating aircraft over long distances.

Coriolis acceleration (Coriolis acceleration, Coriolis acceleration, rotational acceleration, centrifugal acceleration) is a vector physical quantity that characterizes the angular motion of a body rotating around a fixed axis with variable angular velocity. It was discovered in 1835 by the French mathematician and mechanic J. B. L. Fourier, and in 1849 the French astronomer W. Le Verrier, independently of Fourier, derived a formula for determining the magnitude of this acceleration.

Coriolis acceleration occurs when a body moves along a curved path. It is directed perpendicular to the plane of motion and has a value proportional to the angular velocity of rotation of the body.

In mechanics, Coriolis acceleration is used to describe the motion of bodies in a non-uniform gravitational field, when the body moves under the influence of gravity and simultaneously rotates around its axis. In this case, Coriolis acceleration occurs due to the uneven distribution of the mass of the planet or other celestial body.

An example of the use of Coriolis acceleration is the movement of the Earth around the Sun. As the Earth rotates around its axis, it experiences Coriolis acceleration in the direction opposite to the Sun's orbital motion. This leads to the fact that the earth's axis does not remain fixed in space, but constantly deviates from its original direction.

Coriolis acceleration also plays an important role in aviation and astronautics. When spacecraft and aircraft move along curved trajectories, such as orbital flights or flights in the atmosphere, Coriolis acceleration occurs. This acceleration must be taken into account in the design and control of spacecraft and aircraft to ensure safe and efficient flight.

Thus, Coriolis acceleration is an important physical concept that is widely used in various fields of science and technology. It allows you to describe the movement of bodies in curved trajectories and take into account the influence of external forces on the movement of the body.