Coriolis Carousel: Demo

This video shows how the Coriolis force can be seen and felt on a rotating platform, called the Utah State University Coriolis Carousel. As seen by riders on this carousel, balls that are passed between them and dumbbells that they thrust forward are deflected sideways. Discussed are: (a) applications for motion on the earth's surface, (b) how this force arises when transforming Newton's second law into a rotating frame of reference, and (c) the quandary in naming this force.
The USU Coriolis Carousel was designed and built by Boyd Edwards, John Edwards, and Reynold Edwards for a Science Unwrapped lecture on January 19, 2024 sponsored by the USU College of Science. The carousel is robust, collapsible, and portable, and can be used on any smooth, flat surface without damage to the surface. Boyd and John respectively teach physics and computer science at USU, and Reynold owns Rapture Audio.
We gratefully acknowledge support and encouragement from Lauren Anderson, Michelle Baker, Dana Chambers, Vanessa Chambers, James Coburn, Megan French, Mary-Ann Muffoletto, Greg Podgorski, Lisa Poulsen, Charles Torre, and Jan Sojka of USU; and Cori Stromberg of Triangle Manufacturing. For assistance in shooting the video, we gratefully acknowledge Aiden, Amy, Angie, Elanor, Isabelle, Jocelyn, Nadine, Olivia, and Sadie Edwards.
Established in 2009, Science Unwrapped is a series of monthly science outreach events featuring lectures followed by hands-on learning activities and refreshments, and held on the USU campus in Logan, Utah. Inquiring minds of all ages are invited to learn about the wonders, the joys, the mishaps, the fun, the unexpected detours, and the excitement of scientific discovery (www.usu.edu/sc....
For more information, see:
Coriolis Carousel playlist: • Coriolis Carousel
Hurricane Florence: en.wikipedia.o... and commons.wikime...
Cyclone Idai: en.wikipedia.o...
James Bond Centrifuge Comic: www.explainxkc...
James Bond Centrifuge Video Clip (from Moonraker): • MOONRAKER - BOND IN TH...
This video provided the original inspiration for the design of the USU Coriolis Carousel: • Coriolis Effect | Nati... .
On the (important) effect of the Coriolis force on tropical storms:
education.nati...
On the (negligible) effect of the Coriolis force on water flowing into a drain: • Which way does water s...
Coriolis Visualization Software (CorioVis): edwardsjohnmar...
Publications:
Forces and conservation laws for motion on earth's surface: doi.org/10.111...
Geodetic model for motion on earth's surface: doi.org/10.108...
Trajectory classification for motion on the earth's surface: doi.org/10.106...