The claim

The Coriolis force determines the direction of rotation of water in sinks, toilets and funnels, depending on whether you are in the northern or southern hemisphere.

Our conclusion

Although the Coriolis force influences many phenomena on Earth, the direction of rotation of water in funnels is determined by local factors rather than global forces.

Have you ever heard that the water in the bathtub or sink flows in different directions depending on the part of the world? Water is said to flow counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. The supposed reason for this? The Coriolis force! But is that really true?

We know the funny videos with the colorful funnels. One funnel is said to be north of the equator line, the other funnel south of it. The two funnels are only a few meters apart. You can see that the water flows differently in the two funnels.

Coriolis force: physics or fiction?

What is the Coriolis force? It is a kind of “invisible hand” that is created by the rotation of the earth and acts on moving objects. It causes cyclones to rotate counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere. Impressive, right?

The influence of the Coriolis force on our bath water

Now you might think, "If this force is so strong that it affects hurricanes, then it must also affect the water in my sink!" That's not entirely true. The Coriolis force also acts on the water in our sink, but this force is very weak compared to other factors such as the shape of the sink or the original movement of the water. Therefore, in practice it is almost impossible to observe the effect of the Coriolis force on the draining water.

The myth persists

Despite all the scientific facts, the myth persists. Probably because he's just fascinating. The idea that the earth's invisible rotation could influence the behavior of the water in our sink sounds simply magical. What's more, this myth is often peddled in movies and TV shows, making it even harder to get it out of our minds.


Fact check: Direction of rotation of water in sinks, bathtubs or other containers and the Coriolis force

Fact 1: The Coriolis force acts on moving objects on the earth's surface
. True. The Coriolis force is an apparent force that acts on moving objects on the rotating surface of the Earth. It is the result of the Earth's rotation and acts on moving objects perpendicular to their direction of movement.

Fact 2: The Coriolis force influences the direction of rotation of hurricanes
. True. The Coriolis force is responsible for the direction of rotation of large-scale weather systems such as hurricanes. In the Northern Hemisphere they rotate counterclockwise, while in the Southern Hemisphere they rotate clockwise.

Fact 3: The Coriolis force determines the direction of rotation of draining water in a sink or toilet.
Not entirely true. Although the Coriolis force acts on the water in a pool, its effect is extremely small compared to other factors, such as the initial momentum of the water (the direction in which the water was first poured), the shape of the pool, etc. Therefore, it is very unlikely to observe the effects of the Coriolis force in a typical household sink or toilet.

Fact 4: Water always flows counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere
. Not true. The direction in which water drains in a pool depends on a variety of factors, including the shape of the pool, the initial momentum of the water, and any contaminants in the water. The Coriolis force has a minimal influence on these factors and is therefore hardly noticeable in practice.


Conclusion: The truth about the water in our sink

The truth is that while the Coriolis force is real and fascinating, its effects on the water in our sink or bathtub are minimal. It may be tempting to accept simple explanations for complex phenomena, but sometimes it's worth digging a little deeper. And in this case, science shows us that the myth of water running away simply doesn't hold water. So the next time you drain the water in your sink or bathtub, remember: it's not the mysterious forces of the earth's rotation that cause the water to rotate - it's the normal laws of physics!

Source: Do water vortices always rotate in the same direction in the Northern Hemisphere?

Also read: Analysis of: A few words to these “Last Generation” clowns


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Notes:
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