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Name:  Julian C.
Status:  educator
Age:  40s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 2000-2001
Question:
How can I calculate the the deflection angle of a baseball, produced by the coriolis force, after some time "t"?.

Replies:
The Coriolis force is not an actual force, so you may want to take it for what it is. Viewed from "above", the velocity of the ball will be constant in an inertial reference frame. Combine in the motion of the earth under the ball. This will give you a good example of how the ball appears to move at a slightly different angle. Represent position along the original path as a function of initial velocity and time. Do the same for the earth's motion. So long as the ball doesn't remain in the air long enough to "notice" the curvature of the earth, this method will be accurate. To go beyond this, you have to allow for the curvature of the earth.

Kenneth Mellendorf


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