Does the Coriolis Effect Affect the Rotation of Toilets?

Identification

• The Coriolis effect is the deflection of the path of objects traveling northward or southward in a straight line due to the Earth's rotation.

Features

• The Coriolis effect is greatest at the Earth's poles. Objects in the Northern Hemisphere are deflected to the right, and objects in the Southern Hemisphere are deflected to the left. Only objects with significant size, significant speed and/or that travel significant distances are noticeably affected.

Function

• Because the Coriolis effect causes winds and ocean currents to flow in clockwise circles in the Northern Hemisphere and counter-clockwise circles in the Southern Hemisphere, it may seem logical that the effect would cause a difference in toilet water flow in these hemispheres as well.

Misconceptions

• Writing for Cornell University, astronomer Sara Slater explains that the water in your toilet is simply far too slow-moving and small in scale to be governed by the Coriolis effect, and that rotation differences are most likely due to differing water jet placement and bowl styles in different regions.