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Yes it's the Coriolis effect.
A coriolis force is a fictitious or pseudo force much like the backward force which is experienced when we accelerate in a car.
The car is an accelerated frame of reference. Since objects prefer to be stationary or travel at constant velocities (=zero net force) a fictitious force is produced in the opposite direction of acceleration.
Similiarly the Earth's rotation is an accelerated frame of reference. The Coriolis force is perpendicular to the axis of rotation.
In the southern hemisphere weather patterns veer in an easterly direction as a result. If there was no rotation the direction of weather pattern movements would be random.
Steven
Last edited by sjastro; 15-12-2009 at 08:41 PM.
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