Why does water spin counter-clockwise while draining?

Answer 1

You are thinking of the Coriolis Effect, however, as was stated previously, it only effects very large masses and not small water masses.

Answer 2

Yes it is a function of the rotation of the earth. In the southern hemisphere it rotes in the clock wise direction. Another proof is the low and high pressure weather systems . Another is a hurricane in our hemisphere it is counter clockwise and that is the reason u never see a hurricane or typhoon cross the equator .

Answer 3

It has nothing to do with the Coriolis effect (the distances involved are too small), this is an urban legend.

The reason water rotates has more to do with the geometry of your setup. Stationary water will start to rotate because rotating water flows faster than non-rotating water, and thus it is a favoured state. A small fluctuation in water direction will start its rotation, which is amplified by its flow.

The faster flow is exploited in toilets, where water is injected at a small angle to make water rotate, so that it drains faster, with larger force and less water consumption.

Answer 4

CORIOLIS EFFECT! No, just kidding.

African kids like to mislead stupid tourists who believe that. They set up drains on either side of the equator and rig them to go down the opposite way. People are stupid.

The fact of the matter is that the way it spins is just a function of the geometry of the basin. It has nothing to do with your geography. Only really big things like hurricanes and ocean currents and rockets feel the coriolis force.

Answer 5

I've heard, it has to do with with the rotation of Earth and Coriolis force. But personaly, I think this is a myth.

Answer 6

It only does in the Northern Hemisphere, in the Southern Hemisphere it goes clockwise. It has to do with physics and the magnetic poles.

Answer 7

It depends on where you live. It's called the Corialis Effect( I think...) and scientists think that it has to do with the rotation of the Earth.