1.

The Coriolis effect is the apparent curvature of global winds, ocean currents, and everything else that
moves freely across the Earths surface.

2. The Coriolis effect is caused by a combination of the inertia of moving air and the rotation of the
Earth. Air tends to move from high pressure to low pressure in a straight line, but the rotation of the Earth
means that, to an observer at one spot on its surface, the moving air appears to turn. This effect increases
as the air moves faster.

3. The Coriolis effect is important to virtually all sciences that relate to Earth and planetary motions. It is
critical to the dynamics of the atmosphere including the motions of winds and storms. In oceanography, it
explains the motions of oceanic currents.

4. Weakest at the Equator. Coriolis effect is basically a deflection of moving objects from a straight path
if they are viewed from rotating frame of reference. It is weakest at the Equator.

5. Geostrophic wind is not possible at the equator because the Coriolis effect is weak at the equator and
the Geostrophic wind requires a balance between the pressure gradient force and the Coriolis force.
However, the Coriolis force is zero at the equator because there is no pressure gradient force at
the equator.