Re: Coriolis myths and draining bathtubs - was Re: Supporting vs stifling curiosity

[Robert Cohen <Robert.Cohen@PO-BOX.ESU.EDU>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Hugh Haskell [mailto:hhaskell@MINDSPRING.COM]
> Sent: Monday, February 11, 2002 9:47 PM
>
> At 18:31 -0500 2/11/02, Robert Cohen wrote:
> > I admit I haven't read the references provided.  I assume
> this is addressed
> > in the articles but...How prevalent IS this misconception among
> > physics-department faculty in the great research
> universities of the U.S.?
> >
> I can't speak authoritatively, but I doubt it's prevalence among
> physics departments. Among the general public, however, its another
> matter. Among the general public, it is "general knowledge" that this
> is true.

I apologize.  To clarify, I was referring to the misconception that RH
referred to, i.e., that physics faculty believe it is *not* possible to
observe the Coriolis effect in drains (even with heroic efforts to maintain
very controlled conditions).

I am *not* surprised that a lot of people have the misconception HH is
referring to, i.e., that water goes down the drain counterclockwise in the
northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere.
____________________________________________
Robert Cohen; rcohen@po-box.esu.edu; http://www.esu.edu/~bbq
Physics, East Stroudsburg Univ, E. Stroudsburg, PA 18301