Comments on: Is the Coriolis effect an 'optical illusion'? by Anders Persson. (20th July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: White, Andy
• Is Part Of: Quarterly journal of the Royal Meteorological Society. Volume 142:Number 699(2016)
• Page Start: 2585
• Page End: 2589
• Publication Date: 2016-07-20
• Subjects: angular momentum -- centrifugal force -- Newtonian gravity -- kinematics; Meteorology -- Periodicals; 551.5
• DOI: 10.1002/qj.2853
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0035-9009

Abstract

Abstract : The Coriolis mechanism advocated by Persson involves angular momentum, centrifugal force and Newtonian gravity. The derivation of the usual rotating frame momentum equation is here recalled, and an alternative form noted. Parcel‐frame centrifugal force and Newtonian gravity appear; in the horizontal, coordinate‐frame centrifugal force is a proxy for the latter. The meridional component equation displays part of the mechanism and suggests its close relation to that proposed by Ferrel in the 1850s. A shortcoming of Persson's treatment is corrected. The mechanism provides an illuminating deconstruction of the Coriolis force but emphasises the economy of the usual kinematic treatment.