With reference to "Coriolis force", which of the following statements is/are correct ?
- 1.It increases with increase in wind velocity.
- 2.It is maximum at the poles and is absent at the equator.
Select the answer using the code given below :
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Answer: C. The Coriolis force equals 2vΩ sin(latitude), where v is wind speed. Statement 1 is correct: it grows as wind speed increases. Statement 2 is correct: sin(latitude) is 1 at the poles and 0 at the equator, so the force is greatest at the poles and absent at the equator. So both.
Watch for: Students remember that Coriolis depends on latitude but forget that it also depends on wind speed.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Wrong because Statement 2 is also correct.
- B. Wrong because Statement 1 is also correct.
- D. Wrong because both statements follow directly from the Coriolis formula.
Source to check: NCERT Class 11 Fundamentals of Physical Geography, Chapter 9 'Atmospheric Circulation and Weather Systems' (Coriolis force)
Answer from the official UPSC key. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.