This is called the centrifugal effect, which isn’t
really a force, but the effect of subtracting
the direction of spin from the ball’s inertial trajectory.
Similarly, the Coriolis effect
makes an object moving on a straight path
but in a rotating field of reference
appear to swerve against the direction of the spin.
*
The earth is a spinning sphere
so winds and currents appear to veer.
Handedness
If you stand on the north pole,
the earth turns counterclockwise;
if you stand on the south pole,
it turns clockwise.
A great circle between points
at the same latitude above the equator
arches to the north;
but below the equator
arches to the south.
The Coriolis effect
pulls wind and currents
to the right when north of the equator
and to the left when south.
Unhandy
If I don’t think carefully first,
left and right come out at random, it seems,
even though I know which direction to turn.
But thinking isn’t easy,
nor is it easy to remember to think.
I often need to think first about needing to.
You tell me why the Coriolis effect pulls to the right in
the northern hemisphere but to the left in the southern. I often
mix up left and right. A demonstration or animation would be
useful.
You tell me why the Coriolis effect pulls to the right in the northern hemisphere but to the left in the southern. I often mix up left and right. A demonstration or animation would be useful.
See also in The book of science:
Readings on wikipedia: