Because the water on the north side it goes counterclock wise, but on the south it goes clockwise..
So what happens if you are stuck in the middle?
2007-11-14 02:59:03 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
You've fallen for the old coriolis toilet myth. The direction of the flow is a function of the geometry of the toilet, not your hemisphere. So the answer is it goes down the same as anywhere else.
The coriolis force is real, but it only effects things that move with large velocities over larger distances than toilets.
2007-11-14 03:05:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It would be more free to spin either way, although it probably will still spin and getting it exactly on the equator is going to be a bit of a challenge. The thing to remember is that the spin direction is not a hard and fast rule, it can go clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counter in the southern. Just as tornadoes in the northern sometimes spin the opposite way from time to time. Interesting idea though, I'd like to see something like that done just for novelties sake.
2007-11-14 03:04:46 · answer #2 · answered by Mic K 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Actually the coriolis effect doen't really apply to toilets. Toilets use a syphon jet design where the swirling action is created by forcing water through angled holes (the jets) under the rim of the bowl.
2007-11-14 03:10:08 · answer #3 · answered by Niklaus Pfirsig 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
They don't have toilets placed exactly on the equator.... for the reason researchers have found....that if you try to flush, the toilet will explode.
That's why people live either north or south of the equator.
See?
2007-11-14 03:07:47 · answer #4 · answered by we_are_legion99 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It goes downwards obviously.
It would simply depend on the momentum of the waters direction as it comes from the system, the same as anywhere else on the planet.
2007-11-14 03:01:31 · answer #5 · answered by Doctor Q 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Becki. I swear I have seen water going down the sink in both directions. Coriolis Schmoriolis.
2007-11-14 03:33:50 · answer #6 · answered by Dr D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a myth. Water spins clockwise no matter which hemisphere you're on.
2007-11-14 03:02:44 · answer #7 · answered by Billy V 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i actually read it gets sucked straight down, like one of those industrial toilets.
I also read that the design of the toilet has a lot to do with which way the water spins.
2007-11-14 03:02:26 · answer #8 · answered by zorro1701e 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
toilets don't flush on the equator, they must be installed at least 15 inches north or south of it.
2007-11-14 03:02:08 · answer #9 · answered by howie r 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Why don't you go to the equator and find out. Since you are so curious. It is not even 10 am and the stupid questions are already coming in!
2007-11-14 03:05:04 · answer #10 · answered by Neil 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋