Question
What causes cyclones to rotate counter-clockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere?
the jet stream
the Coriolis Effect
prevailing winds
low pressure air moving upwards
the jet stream
the Coriolis Effect
prevailing winds
low pressure air moving upwards
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The primary cause of cyclones rotating counter-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere is the **Coriolis Effect**.
The Coriolis Effect is a result of the Earth's rotation. In the Northern Hemisphere, the rotation causes moving air (and fluids) to be deflected to the right, resulting in counter-clockwise rotation around low-pressure systems. Conversely, in the Southern Hemisphere, the deflection is to the left, which leads to a clockwise rotation around low-pressure systems.
While the jet stream, prevailing winds, and low-pressure air moving upwards play roles in the formation and behavior of cyclones, the specific direction of rotation is directly due to the Coriolis Effect.
The Coriolis Effect is a result of the Earth's rotation. In the Northern Hemisphere, the rotation causes moving air (and fluids) to be deflected to the right, resulting in counter-clockwise rotation around low-pressure systems. Conversely, in the Southern Hemisphere, the deflection is to the left, which leads to a clockwise rotation around low-pressure systems.
While the jet stream, prevailing winds, and low-pressure air moving upwards play roles in the formation and behavior of cyclones, the specific direction of rotation is directly due to the Coriolis Effect.