The Coriolis effect is the result of

The Coriolis effect is an apparent force caused by the Earth's rotation on its axis [5]. As the Earth spins in a counter-clockwise direction, objects moving freely over long distances appear to be deflected from a straight path [4]. This occurs because the Earth's rotational speed varies with latitude, being fastest at the equator and decreasing toward the poles [3]. Consequently, moving objects are deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere, a phenomenon known as Ferrel's Law [5]. The magnitude of this force is directly proportional to the sine of the latitude; it is zero at the equator and reaches its maximum at the poles [4]. While the pressure gradient force initiates wind movement, the Coriolis force modifies its direction due to the planet's rotation [4].

Sources

1. [3] FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 9: Atmospheric Circulation and Weather Systems > Forces Affecting the Velocity and Direction of Wind > p. 78
2. [5] CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: Climate > Pressure and Winds > p. 28
3. [2] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 23: Pressure Systems and Wind System > Causes of The Coriolis Effect > p. 308
4. [4] FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 9: Atmospheric Circulation and Weather Systems > Coriolis Force > p. 79
5. [1] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 23: Pressure Systems and Wind System > Causes of The Coriolis Effect > p. 309