What is the primary cause of the Coriolis Force?

The primary cause of the Coriolis Force is Earth's rotation. As the Earth spins on its axis, it creates a scenario where objects moving across its surface are deflected due to the curvature of the planet. This deflection is not just a conceptual phenomenon but is observable in the movement of air masses, ocean currents, and weather systems.

For instance, in the Northern Hemisphere, moving objects are deflected to the right relative to their direction of travel, while in the Southern Hemisphere, they are deflected to the left. This effect significantly influences weather patterns and ocean currents, contributing to the circulation systems, such as trade winds and the formation of cyclones.

Understanding the Coriolis Force is crucial in meteorology as it helps explain why storms rotate in specific directions and why wind patterns flow along curved paths rather than straight lines.