Coriolis
(kɒrɪˈəʊlɪs)
The name of G. G. Coriolis (1792–1843), French engineer and mathematician, used chiefly attrib., to designate the effect whereby a body moving relative to a rotating frame of reference is accelerated in that frame in a direction perpendicular both to its direction of motion and to the axis of rotation of the frame.
| 1912 Ziwet & Field Introd. Anal. Mech. vi. 119 This acceleration..is called variously compound centripetal, complementary, or acceleration of Coriolis. 1923 H. L. Brose tr. Sommerfeld's Atomic Struct. & Spectral Lines v. 296 The proof of Larmor's theorem is based on the conception of Coriolis forces, which is known from the mechanics of relative motions. 1941 B. Haurwitz Dynamic Meteorol. vi. 126 As long as purely, horizontal motions and accelerations are considered, therefore, the Coriolis force does not appear when motion at the equator is studied..for the Coriolis force is parallel to the equatorial plane, and the equatorial plane is normal to the earth's surface at the equator. 1946 Nature 21 Dec. 903/1 After pointing out the lack of evidence for, and the difficulties confronting, any magnetic theory of bird direction-finding, he proceeds to discuss the possibility that the perception of a Coriolis force, generated by the rotation of the earth, might provide the basis for an explanation. 1950 Meteorol. Gloss. 53 Coriolis Acceleration. Any body moving relatively to the rotating earth experiences an acceleration relative to the earth called, after its discoverer, the Coriolis acceleration. The Coriolis acceleration is twice the vector product of the angular velocity of the earth and the velocity of the body. 1969 New Scientist 11 Dec. 547/2 Even spin-produced ‘g’ is not quite like the real thing, and gives rise to disturbing coriolis effects in the middle ear. |