Comments on: Equatorial Memorial

Question: Equatorial Memorial

BrodieShadeTree — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 19:52:38 -0800

Equatorial Memorial: Is there anywhere along the equator a display, or set of fountains straddling the equator itself that show the clockwise vs. counterclockwise draining effect in the southern vs. northern hemispheres? If not, would it work to have two fountains showing this? How far apart would they need to be?

By: 0xFCAF

0xFCAF — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 19:54:36 -0800

This doesn't happen. Search for "hemisphere drain" and read any of the thousands of webpages out there explaining this. Here's one

By: CKmtl

CKmtl — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 19:58:02 -0800

There is no such effect. Or rather, it's not strong enough to be an important influence on the direction of rotation.

You can make your tub / sink drain in the "incorrect" direction simply by giving it a stir in that direction as you start letting the water out.

By: intermod

intermod — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 19:58:05 -0800

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coriolis_effect#Draining_bathtubs_and_toilets

http://www.snopes.com/science/coriolis.asp

Sorry.

By: ottereroticist

ottereroticist — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 19:58:43 -0800

It's a myth. And even if it weren't, surely the effect would become more pronounced as you traveled away from the equator, rather than suddenly "snapping over" as you crossed the line.

By: vacapinta

vacapinta — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 20:00:49 -0800

The answer to your first question is Yes.

The answer to the question you didnt ask is: Yeah, its a scam.

By: BrodieShadeTree

BrodieShadeTree — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 20:01:28 -0800

It does in fact happen, just not on such a small scale apparently. So, I suppose then they would have to be LARGE fountains.

By: 0xFCAF

0xFCAF — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 20:03:46 -0800

Those don't look like fountains to me.

By: dreaming in stereo

dreaming in stereo — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 01:49:26 -0800

In the September 2007 issue of "Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel", there is an article called "Destination Unknown" about a trip to Ecuador. The travelers visited a museum on the equator called "Museo de Sitio Inti-nañ" where they describe how a guide demonstrates the Coriolis effect in a sink from north, south and on the equator, with the water draining counter-clockwise, clockwise & straight down respectively.
I personally agree the whole idea is a myth though.