Physics

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Coriolis Effect Calculator.

Calculate Coriolis acceleration magnitude from rotation rate, speed, and latitude.

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Results update as you type.

acceleration: 0.001031 m/s²

acceleration

0.000000m/s²

Results update automatically as you type.

This page applies only the stated idealized equation and explicit inputs; verify specialized engineering, medical, or safety decisions against applicable standards.

Use Cases

Physics Education

Helps students and teachers visualize how rotation rate, speed, and latitude affect the Coriolis acceleration, reinforcing concepts in classical mechanics.

Example: Calculate the Coriolis acceleration for a missile traveling at 300 m/s at 45° latitude.

Meteorology and Oceanography

Useful for estimating the influence of the Coriolis effect on wind and ocean current patterns, aiding in the understanding of large-scale atmospheric and oceanic circulation.

Example: Estimate the Coriolis acceleration for a 10 m/s wind at 30° latitude.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Coriolis effect?
The Coriolis effect is the apparent deflection of moving objects when viewed in a rotating reference frame, such as the Earth. It results from the rotation of the frame and affects large-scale motions like winds and ocean currents.
How is Coriolis acceleration calculated?
The calculator uses the formula a = 2 * ω * v * sin(φ), where ω is the rotation rate in rad/s, v is the object speed in m/s, and φ is the latitude in degrees. The result is the magnitude of the Coriolis acceleration in m/s².
Why does latitude matter?
Latitude determines the angle between the object's velocity and the Earth's rotation axis. The Coriolis effect is strongest at the poles (sin(90°) = 1) and zero at the equator (sin(0°) = 0).

Tips & Common Mistakes

Tips

  • Ensure the rotation rate is in rad/s. For Earth, use approximately 7.292 × 10⁻⁵ rad/s.
  • Latitude must be entered in degrees, not radians. The calculator converts it internally.
  • The result is the magnitude of the Coriolis acceleration; the direction is perpendicular to the velocity and rotation axis.
  • For small speeds or low latitudes, the Coriolis acceleration is often negligible compared to other forces.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using degrees for rotation rate instead of rad/s. Always convert to rad/s first.
  • Entering latitude in radians instead of degrees, which would give incorrect sine values.
  • Forgetting that the Coriolis effect is zero at the equator, so a non-zero result there indicates an input error.

Last updated: August 13, 2026