Which best describes the effect of Coriolis force?
A)It drives air from areas of higher to lower barometric pressure.
B)It decreases with height above the surface.
C)It causes the apparent deflection of winds from a straight path.
D)It is the only force acting on flows of air in the upper troposphere.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Coriolis force causes the apparent deflection of winds from a straight path due to the rotation of the Earth. It is a result of the difference in rotational speed between the equator and the poles.

Answer: B
 The Coriolis force decreases with height above the surface due to the decreasing effect of the Earth's rotation on the flow of air as the distance from the surface increases. However, it still has a significant effect on air masses even at high altitudes.

Therefore, the best choices are C and B.

Which Best Describes the Effect of Coriolis Force