and is it different anywhere else in the world?
2006-06-25 10:11:13 · 8 answers · asked by 20mommy05 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
It's a MYTH!
The coriolis effect is not strong enough in a tub or sink to manifest. The direction the water spins down your drain is a function of the design of your drain. If you doubt this, fill the sink, pull the plug, wait for the vortex to form and then use your finger to swirl the water in the other direction. It will go the other way!
The coriolis effect only comes into play on a very large scale, as with hurricanes, weather patterns, and ocean currents.
Good question though!
P.S. I'm not 100% sure, but I think the Coriolis Effect makes things go CLOCKWISE in the northern hemisphere!
2006-06-25 10:41:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Water goes clockwise and counterclockwise in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The claim that it only goes one way is a fallacy. Check out the reason on the Internet. The answer lies in the scientific study of physics.
2006-06-25 10:34:50 · answer #2 · answered by hoppys_dad 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, this is a myth.
No matter where in the world you are, the direction of draining water is determined by the shape of the vessel that the water is kept in (for instance the shape of the bath tub). The coriolis effect is weak and will not affect draining water in an everyday situation.
2006-06-25 19:13:16 · answer #3 · answered by Barret 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the Northern hemisphere, the water goes down the toilet clockwise. In the Southern hemisphere, the water goes down the toilet counter-clockwise. This is known as the Coriolis Force.
For further information, see the source listed below!
Hope this helps.
2006-06-25 10:19:30 · answer #4 · answered by stankbref101 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is due to gravity and in the northern hemisphere it goes couner clockwise and the southern hemisphere clockwise all due to the gravitation pull of the moon.
2006-06-25 10:16:09 · answer #5 · answered by him n her♥ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It goes the other way in Australia
2006-06-25 10:15:16 · answer #6 · answered by ♀♥♂☮Trippy Hippie☮♂♥♀ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
iron e beat my answer.......go to Australia and flush a toilet..it is an experience compared to what we have here in the USA....
I did it as one of the first things of "have to do's" when I vacationed there a few years back!!!
2006-06-25 10:16:31 · answer #7 · answered by Sammyleggs222 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it called the coreolis effect....in the southern hemisphere, it goes clockwise
2006-06-25 10:14:24 · answer #8 · answered by iron e 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋