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in the UK it seems to flow anti clockwise... . I`ve just read on Wikipedia that "The supposed scientific knowledge that drains flow differently in the Southern Hemisphere because of the Coriolis effect is actually a myth - the coriolis effect does influence the direction of the flow, but other factors (such as how the water is injected into the bowl) have a much greater impact, making the coriolis effect negligible."

so here`s the question, which way does water flow on the Equatorial line, or nearest to the centre point that will cause a difference if any?

2007-01-13 09:51:42 · 11 answers · asked by fluxpattern® 5 in Science & Mathematics Earth Sciences & Geology

11 answers

I was going to say the exact same thing Firefly said...dang....there goes my points.
Well done and quickly!

2007-01-13 11:18:47 · answer #1 · answered by vegetable soup 5 · 0 0

The Coriolis effect is real. It causes the Gulf Stream and Kuroshio currents to flow in a clockwise direction north of the equator.
Here is a link to southern ocean currents:
http://oceancurrents.rsmas.miami.edu/atlantic/south-equatorial.html

Now, the reason your tub or toilet doesn't drain dependably is NOT because Coriolis is an urban myth. It is because the magnitude of the force is so tiny on the scale of a toilet that the influence of the initial flow direction is stronger, and dominates, as you suggest above.
A "perfect" toilet would flow in a direction that is consistent with the rotation of the earth.
At the equator, there would be no force that could cause this current, so I presume a perfect toilet would drain straight down and not swirl at all

2007-01-13 10:02:29 · answer #2 · answered by firefly 6 · 0 0

The strength of the Coriolis effect is proportional to the sine of the latitude. This means it is greatest at the poles and zero at the equator. There is no Coriolis effect at the equator which is why hurricanes/typhoons/tropical cyclones cannot form within 5° of the equator.

Even though there is no Coriolis effect, water still spirals down plugholes on the equator - whichever way it fancies. Where I live in Australia, water flows both clockwise and anticlockwise in showers, baths etc depending on which way the initial motion went.

2007-01-13 10:17:10 · answer #3 · answered by tentofield 7 · 0 0

that's a severe fallacy. No comic tale, it is been proved! the purely element that determines which direction the water flows down a drain is depending on the initial situations less than which the water enters the drain. The coriolis result's so insignificant to this procedure. in case you do not believe me, turn on the water on your sink. Whichever direction that's spinning initially, spin your finger contained in the different direction. The water will save on with in spite of direction you push it in. Btw, i did not see the answer above me, yet I consider you chum. Sorry, however it really sounds like I plagarised you and that i did not even study your submit. Cheers! :)

2016-12-02 05:40:54 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

It's not an Urban myth at all. I live in the Northern Hemisphere, but worked off the coast of South America and saw it with my own peepers! Not sure about the Equator though.

2007-01-13 10:05:03 · answer #5 · answered by Humpy 3 · 0 0

The coriolis effect is strongest at the poles and weakest at the equator

2007-01-14 01:23:59 · answer #6 · answered by rosie recipe 7 · 0 0

Put in the drain plug, fill the bowl, pull the plug, observe the difference. Been there, done it.

2007-01-13 10:00:09 · answer #7 · answered by thvannus@verizon.net 3 · 0 0

It's an Urban myth. It's flows the same no matter where you are.

2007-01-13 09:55:03 · answer #8 · answered by Henry B 5 · 0 0

Thats amazing, I was going to ask this question earlier!!

2007-01-13 09:55:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

what can i say except that i agree things happen different in the land of oz ..... PS it's my second home.

2007-01-13 09:56:34 · answer #10 · answered by MISSY G 5 · 0 0

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