2006-12-23 09:22:31 · 11 answers · asked by blue 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
It depends on the toilet. The direction of water flow is determined by random influences on drain direction, such as the geometry of the sink, toilet, or tub; whether it is flat or tilted; and the direction in which water was initially added to it. Toilets typically are designed to only flush in one rotation, by having the flush water enter at an angle.
Contrary to popular misconception, the direction has nothing to do with the Coriolis effect, or in which hemisphere the toilet is being flushed.
2006-12-23 09:27:45 · answer #1 · answered by Bad Kitty! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Despite popular belief, it all depends upon how the water was introduced and the geometric structure of the drain. Many people say that the Coriolis force is the reason for such occurrences, however bodies of water as small as those found in sinks and toilets are not large enough for the force to take place. For example, I live in the northern hemisphere however the water in my kitchen sink drains clockwise going against the legend that says it should drain counterclockwise. Although that is the scientific reasoning, I like to think that there's a conspiracy to make drains in the northern hemisphere and the southern hemisphere specifically so that they drain clockwise or counterclockwise. Also, I know someone who once tested this on the equator in the Galapagos Islands and they said that the water went straight down into the drain as the legend goes. As for the compass in the drain, sorry, but I'm not a plumber.
2016-05-23 02:25:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No., that is a (persistent!) myth. Storms rotate in opposite drections north & south of the equator because of the coriolis effect (the drag the upper atmosphere has causes friction against air currents, and spirals them in the relative direction the air is moving). Large bodies of water can be subject to this force, too. But the direction the water flushes depends only on the design of the bowl!
2006-12-23 09:28:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The "Coriolis effect" effects really big forces like storms and such. Toilets are to small to be really usefull in its detection. Like the previous posts said the direction of the flush is done by the toilet itself. Snopes is a good guide.
2006-12-23 09:46:16 · answer #4 · answered by Mike K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, this is just a silly rumor. The size of a toilet is by far too small to be affected by wind patterns, plus, it is usual indoors.
It really depends on how the toilet is made to flush.
2006-12-23 09:33:26 · answer #5 · answered by Sir 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's correct because when you flush the toilet in north america ( U.S.A.) it goes clockwise but in Austraillia it goes counterclockwise because of the equator for more information go to www.counterclockwise.com
2006-12-23 09:44:10 · answer #6 · answered by true fashion girl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm in Australia, my son and I just got into this discussion, and ran off to the bathroom. Both our toilets run anticlockwise, but the bathroom sink went clockwise. The kitchen sink, wait while we look....is anticlockwise.
2006-12-23 13:48:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep, the Equator does it.
2006-12-23 09:51:59 · answer #8 · answered by geocmour 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, because it's on the other side of the equator.
2006-12-23 10:07:49 · answer #9 · answered by zlisa98 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
lol! i've heard it in 8 simple rules! and i was like! ROFL
2006-12-24 16:35:28 · answer #10 · answered by Dubu 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋