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Q17 (CDS-I/2021) Geography › World Physical Geography › Atmospheric pressure winds Answer Verified

Which one of the following statements about the Coriolis force is not correct ?

Result
Your answer: —  Â·  Correct: C
Explanation

The Coriolis force is an apparent force caused by the Earth's rotation that deflects moving objects, such as winds and ocean currents. According to Ferrel's Law, this force deflects winds to the right of their path in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere [2]. Therefore, the statement that it deflects wind to the right in the Southern Hemisphere is incorrect. The magnitude of the Coriolis force is directly proportional to the sine of the latitude; it is zero at the Equator and reaches its maximum at the Poles [3]. This variation occurs because the horizontal component of the Earth's rotation is absent at the Equator and most pronounced at the Poles [3]. Consequently, while statements 1, 2, and 4 are scientifically accurate descriptions of the Coriolis effect, statement 3 is false as it reverses the direction of deflection for the Southern Hemisphere.

Sources

  1. [1] FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 9: Atmospheric Circulation and Weather Systems > Coriolis Force > p. 79
  2. [2] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 23: Pressure Systems and Wind System > UPSC Prelims 2011] Which one of the following weather conditions is indicated by a sudden fall in barometer reading? > p. 308
  3. [3] CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: Climate > Pressure and Winds > p. 28
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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2024 · Q14 Relevance score: 7.11

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 :

NDA-I · 2025 · Q91 Relevance score: 5.54

Which of the following statements with reference to Coriolis force is/are correct ? 1. Coriolis force acts perpendicular to the pressure gradient force 2. At the equator, the Coriolis force is zero and the wind blows perpendicular to the isobars Select the answer using the code given below :

CDS-I · 2012 · Q72 Relevance score: 3.29

Consider the following state- ments : 1. Coriolis effect is zero at the Equator. 2. Coriolis effect is more towards the Poles. 3. Coriolis effects are related to the decreasing rotational velocity with increasing latitudes. 4. Coriolis effects are related to the increasing rotational velocity with increasing latitudes. Which of the statements given above are correct ?

IAS · 2011 · Q88 Relevance score: 3.18

Westerlies in southern hemisphere are stronger and persistent than in northern hemisphere. Why? 1. Southern hemisphere has less landmass as compared to northern hemisphere. 2. Coriolis force is higher in southern hemisphere as compared to northern hemisphere. Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?

NDA-II · 2018 · Q6 Relevance score: 2.83

Statement I : Geostrophic wind blows above a height of 600 meters, parallel to the isobars Statement I : Geostrophic wind is the horizontal wind velocity, in which the coriolis force balances the horizontal pressure force.