What way would water spin if dead center on the Poles?

Question

In the Northern hemisphere water spins to the right when draining (in a sink or toilet for example), and the opposite way in the southern hemisphere. I've been told this is because of the earths rotation, the same reason wind does not travel in a strait line in relation to the earth. What if there was a toilet In the center of the poles, Would the water not spin at all and just get sucked in evenly, or would it randomly spin one way or the other? Thanks!

Answer 1

If you buy into the myth that the coriolis force influences the spin of water in a toilet bowl, then you actually have your question backward.

The north pole is in the northern hemisphere and would experience the spinning coriolis force in the same direction as other places in the northern hemisphere. Similarly at the south pole, the spin direction would be the same as the southern hemisphere. The coriolis force is actually the *strongest* at the poles.

I think what you want to ask is what would happen at the *equator*. Near the equator the coriolis force is weakest with it being zero at the equator.

This explains why tropical storms and cyclones and anticyclones don't cross the equator from one hemisphere to the other. The spinning coriolis force is zero at the equator, so the storm would just peter out rather than crossing the equator.

So I'd ask someone to check out the toilet flushing in Ecuador or other countries on the equator... see if it just flows out without spinning.

Answer 2

Hi. The force which influences weather patterns and air movement does not exist at the poles. The center of rotation passes through the bowl's own center line. At the North pole the toilet would turn 1 revolution in 24 hours counterclockwise. This is not a lot of motion but, all things being equal, the water would tend to flow at increasing speed (conservation of angular momentum) in a counter clockwise direction.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

The coriolis effect does not work on small systems like bath tubs and toilet bowls - this is a common misconception. So your question is moot.

http://www.ems.psu.edu/~fraser/Bad/BadCoriolis.html

Answer 5

Without the magnetic pull the water would not spin, or spin in the direction it leans toward.

Answer 6

It would be random. Only large masses like storm clouds are subject to the Coriolis effect.

Answer 7

It would not rotate. The water would just flow through the hole or the drain.

Answer 8

Oooo....good question. If you figure it out, can you lemme know?

Answer 9

good question