and what way do they flush in this country ? does the water just go straight down on the equator?
2007-07-19 11:00:04 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
They don't, that's a complete myth! The direction a toilet flushes is a function of the shape of the bowl, nothing more, nothing less.
The myth that there is a directional difference is based on a misunderstanding of the coreolis effect.
2007-07-19 11:06:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
The Coriolis effect is caused by the rotation of the Earth. This is one revolution every 24 hours. Its strength is proportional to the sine of the latitude so it is zero at the equator and strongest at the poles.
Small systems like water going down plugholes and dust devils are influenced by factors other than Coriolis and these are generally stronger than Coriolis so the water or dust spins either way in each hemisphere.
The smallest systems where you can see the effect are seabreezes and big thunderstorms. The rotation in a thunderstorm determines the rotation of a tornado spawned by the storm so tornadoes generally spin according to Coriolis in each hemisphere.
2007-07-19 22:17:55 · answer #2 · answered by tentofield 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They don't. The coreolis effect only works with vast currents
of water within the oceans. Clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere, and counterclockwise in the Southern. Toilets
flush according to the design of the water jets and bowl for each brand of toilet.
2007-07-19 20:35:13 · answer #3 · answered by Baraka 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Baraka is correct. The Coriolis effect is not strong enough to act on sinks and toilets. That has more to do with the shape, design, and levelness of the sink or toilet. The Coriolis effect can only work on big currents like tornadoes
2007-07-19 22:06:15 · answer #4 · answered by Lady Geologist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as in space they are sucked down/up... really though because gravity is stronger than the poles "opposite" effect the water will flush down... the water spin will be in the other direction
2007-07-19 19:23:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Toilets flush, and cyclones rotate, counterclockwise north of the equator, and clockwise south of the equator. This phenomenon is due to the Coriolis effect.
.
2007-07-19 18:51:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
I thought they flushed the same way everywhere.
2007-07-19 18:07:30 · answer #7 · answered by Zuko's mom 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
What's the equator doing down the loo?
2007-07-19 18:11:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
no-theory only-the construction of water outlet matters more
2007-07-19 18:08:19 · answer #9 · answered by Clint 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
hey numb nuts not only r they numb ur brain is too
2007-07-23 00:11:20 · answer #10 · answered by terry h 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋