I heard when you flush the toilet in japan the water goes in the opposite direction than in the U.S.?

Question

Is there any truth to this? if so why? does it have something to do with the earths gravitational pull?

Answer 1

This is unfortunately a myth. While a large body of water may act differently on different hemispheres, a small water body such as a toilet does not.

It is simply a matter of how the water jets are setup in the toilet bowl.

The link below has a long winded answer.... :)

Answer 2

What you've heard is actually not true although there is some merit to it.

There is a factor that comes into play called the "Coriolis Effect" which basically states that the movement of objects is affected by the rotation of the earth (look up Coriolis Effect on wikipedia for a better explanation). Theoretically, toilets would flush in opposite directions on opposite sides of the equator. However, the effect is so minimal in this respect that the flow of water is influenced to a much greater degree by the shape of the bowl, the direction the water is added, and other factors.

Also, even if the Coriolis Effect had a strong enough effect on toilets, the U.S. and Japanese toilets would flow the same way because we are both in the northern hemisphere.

Answer 3

The way the water goes down a whole differently for places in the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere. The spiral effect (or vortex) is clockwise for places north of the equator and counter-clockwise for places south of the equator.

This has to do more with the reference to the rotation to the earth than to gravity - although gravity is in play because it pulls the water downwards.

Refer to the source below for the answer to the question "Why does water go down the plughole clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and anticlockwise here? "

Answer 4

Not true at all...it only occurs when you are south of the equator and someone did tell me that it does have to do with the gravitational pull but I've forgotten all the details about it.

Answer 5

It is called the Coriolis effect. There has to be a large body of water - it DOES affect which way cyclones and hurricanes turn, but not toilets and sinks!

Answer 6

I just peed in Tokyo now. The swirl was anticlockwise rotation.

But I guess, it is depends on the manufacturer.

Answer 7

wrong, southern hemisphere is correct. the equator is the point of gravtional reversal. and yes it is all about gravity

Answer 8

true of anywhere on opposite side of the globe!

Answer 9

Yes it is true.

Answer 10

No.