What is the primary characteristic of the Coriolis effect?

The primary characteristic of the Coriolis effect is that it causes wind and ocean currents to curve. This phenomenon arises from the rotation of the Earth. As air moves over the surface, the rotation results in a deflection of the path of the moving air. In the Northern Hemisphere, this deflection is to the right of the direction of motion, while in the Southern Hemisphere, it is to the left.

This curvature is fundamental for understanding global wind patterns and oceanic currents, which are essential for navigation in sailing, flying, and even in snow sports where wind patterns can influence weather conditions. The Coriolis effect plays a critical role in the development of high and low pressure systems and contributes to the behavior of cyclones and anticyclones, but its most direct and observable effect is the curvature of moving air and water.

The other options do not directly define the Coriolis effect. While temperature changes and precipitation can be affected by wind and ocean currents that result from the Coriolis effect, these are secondary effects rather than the primary characteristic of the phenomenon itself. Similarly, atmospheric pressure might fluctuate in relation to wind patterns influenced by the Coriolis effect, but the reduction or increase in atmospheric pressure is not the defining characteristic of the