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:

The correct answer is 1 only.

Key Points

• Coriolis force acts perpendicular to the pressure gradient force, which helps in balancing the forces acting on air masses in the atmosphere.
• The Coriolis force arises due to the rotation of the Earth and affects the direction of wind movement.
• At the equator, the Coriolis force is zero, but the statement about the wind blowing perpendicular to the isobars is incorrect.
• The Coriolis force is maximum at the poles and decreases as one moves towards the equator.
• Option 1 is correct as the Coriolis force is perpendicular to the pressure gradient force, while Option 2 contains inaccuracies regarding wind direction at the equator.

Additional Information

• Coriolis force: It is an apparent force caused by the Earth's rotation, deflecting moving objects such as air and water currents to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Pressure Gradient Force: This is the force that drives air from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure, influencing wind speed and direction.
• These are lines on a weather map that connect points of equal atmospheric pressure, used to study wind patterns.
• This is the wind that results from the balance between the Coriolis force and the pressure gradient force, flowing parallel to the isobars.
• The absence of Coriolis force at the equator leads to unique atmospheric phenomena, such as the lack of cyclonic activity directly over the equator.