what way does the water go down the plug hole at the equator?

Answer 1

its actually a common misonception that water spins only counter clockwise in the drain south of the equator and only clockwise north of it. This is based on the myth that coreolis forces are strong enough to cause the direction of spin to change. In actuality, for coreolis forces to have that strong of an effect, the water would have to be shooting down the drain at WAY more than 200 mph.

the reality is that water goes down a drain based on the shape of the sink and the direction the water enters the drain, so at the equator or in the north or south, it still doesn't make a difference.

Edit: to add credence to what I said for those who prefer spelling to knowing what they're talking about, here's a website link to an EDU page where they discuss the myth. http://www.ems.psu.edu/~fraser/Bad/BadCoriolis.html

Answer 2

Coriolis forces have a distinct impact on small amounts of water. If you put a 5 gallon bucket on the floor full of water and sprinkle pepper on it you can watch the entire contents spin slowly, but the direction in a sink or toilet are determined by the direction and force of the water at it's source. A draining bathtub will spin in accordance to your position on the globe. If you don't believe me and believe everything you read, try and spin the water the other way next time you are in a tub. At the equator maby 50\50.

Answer 3

Either way, the same as everywhere else. It is an old wives' tale that water goes opposite ways down the plughole in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The Coriolis force only becomes significant on a scale of miles, e.g. weather systems.

Answer 4

In theory water at the equator goes straight down the plughole as the Coriolis Force is zero. However in reality when you empty water from a basin the Coriolis Force acting on it is v v small, so other things such as basin shape, and rotation imparted from filling the basin, determine whether the water drains clockwise or anti-clockwise or indeed straight down.

There's an excellent page on it at the link below.

Answer 5

Water swirling down a drain because of the Earth's rotation is an urban myth that is still being perpetuated. Water swirls down a drain because of the direction it is agitated and not because it is north, south, or on the equator.

Answer 6

I have tried it (yes - I have left my own living room to see the world) and I can tell you categorically that it spins one way north of the equator, the other way south and does not spin on the equator (unless you spin it in which case you can make it go either way).

It isn't a wives tale - try it in your bath tomorrow. If you spin it the wrong way, the water soon corrects itself!

Mr high and mighty physics degree can't even fxxxing spell Coriolis!

Answer 7

I have to agree with Mr Degree it really does depend on the shape of the bowl the diameter of the drain and the entry flow of water into it.

Answer 8

Water flowing in either direction is said to be governed by the Coriolis effect, but in real world situations, it is more governed by the methods of filling the tub. For the water in a tub to be governed soley by the Coriolis effect, it would have to left sitting for several days, covered, with no outside effects.

[additional: Check out Mr. "I have a degree in physics." He mispelled Coriolis.]

Answer 9

Straight down

Answer 10

spiegy may have a degree, but he is absolutely wrong.

c/w Northern hemisphere - - -a/c south .

As far as on the equator, who knows .