How does Coriolis deflection vary with latitude?

• A. It is greater at higher latitudes and zero at the equator
• B. It is greatest at the equator and decreases toward the poles
• C. It is constant at all latitudes
• D. It is independent of latitude

Answer: (A)

Coriolis deflection depends on latitude through the Coriolis parameter, which is f = 2Ω sin φ, where Ω is the Earth's rotation rate and φ is the latitude. This means the sideways acceleration a_c = f × v grows with latitude because sin φ increases from 0 at the equator toward 1 at the poles. At the equator, sin φ is zero, so there’s essentially no lateral deflection regardless of how fast you’re moving. As you move to higher latitudes, the sin φ term increases, and the deflection becomes larger, reaching its maximum toward the poles. In the Northern Hemisphere the deflection is to the right of the motion, while in the Southern Hemisphere it’s to the left.