If so, what is the geographical explanation for this, if there is any?
2006-08-23 10:43:29 · 8 answers · asked by Bruce B 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Geography
No, it isn't in any way true. It is an urban legend, nothing more.
The twisting effect of the Coriolis force is real and does influence certain large things like the movement of air masses, but the effect is so small that it plays no role in determining the direction in which water rotates as it exits from a draining sink or toilet. The Coriolis effect produces a measurable effect over huge distances and long periods of time, neither of which applies to your bathroom. Toilets and sinks drain in the directions they do because of the way water is directed into them or pulled from them. If water enters in a swirling motion (as it does when a toilet is flushed, for example), the water will exit in that same swirling pattern; as well, most basins have irregular surfaces and are not perfectly level, factors which influence the direction in which water spirals down their drains. The configuration of taps and drains is responsible for the direction of spin given to water draining from sinks and bathtubs to a degree that overwhelms the slight influence of the Coriolis force.
2006-08-23 10:53:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is not true. The idea is that the earth's rotation imparte a rotary component to the water, but any such component would be outweighed by environmental influences, such as the exact direction of the baby's kick in the bathwater.
2006-08-23 10:47:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it really is Piaget's (famous psychologist) dialectic: he theory-about getting to carry close as being the interplay of topics with gadgets. once you discuss the international, you do not discuss the international. You discuss your relationship in direction of that international (it truly is Piaget's dialectic). more desirable helpful nevertheless, the conception is reflexive: after I discuss you speaking about the international, I discuss my relationship in direction of you who discuss the international. If i intend to make it even crazier, i visit borrow an theory from Freitag. Language is a form of historic past following which each little thing is wise... in an exceedingly user-friendly experience, my conception relies upon upon my interpretation of the international (because my existence is symbolically mediated, my journey of the international is certain through the limitations of the symbols i take advantage of to represent that specific same international to me). And that theory is often reflexively utilized because i need to apply symbols to describe the above. EDIT Is each little thing arguable. definite -- and sarcastically, even this answer is.
2016-11-27 01:16:43 · answer #3 · answered by harrow 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not entirely true. The effect you're referring to is the Coriolis effect, but it's minor compared to other things. You can actually change the direction of flow using your finger.
2006-08-23 10:46:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have asked my friends south of the equator, I have asked my friends who have traveled south of the equator. I have no reason to doubt them. Yes water spins different.
2006-08-23 16:46:52 · answer #5 · answered by orion_1812@yahoo.com 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not at all. Cyclones are large scale, and are affected by the Coriolis force. Toilets, tubs and sink are far too small to be affected by it.
2006-08-23 10:53:11 · answer #6 · answered by iandanielx 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yep,and cyclones turn opposite direction to hurricanes too.
2006-08-23 10:47:10 · answer #7 · answered by frank m 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes, my friend was in new zealand and he recorded a bottle cap spinning counterclockwise down the drain.
2006-08-23 12:41:28 · answer #8 · answered by eten_23 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋