Okay, you've only watched it a couple of thousand times. When you pull the plug on the sink or the tub, or flush the toilet, which way does the water swirl?
If you can just spit the answer out without checking, I'm super impressed. My son went to Brazil, and e-mailed a picture of his water swirl. Since he's in the southern hemisphere, it's clockwise.
Here in the northern hemisphere, it's counter-clockwise. It's caused by the earth's rotation and splits right along the equator. And when I say right along, I mean RIGHT ALONG.
So here's a question for you. Which direction does water drain right on the equator?
You're in luck, because you can see for yourself. In this clip in South America, water is drained right on the equator, then again just a few feet above, then again a few feet below. It's different each time.
If you're not convinced, here's the same experiment on the equator in Africa.
If you don't have time to watch the clips, I'll go ahead and tell you. On the equator, it doesn't swirl. It just drains.
So the next time your kids are bored, ask them. I'll bet you get some interesting answers.
That is cool. It's amazing what a few feet can do.
ReplyDeleteLeisha, it was fun learning that the equator is more than just an imaginary line. It really does divide the planet in a physical way. I'd like to know how wide that line is, though. : )
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool! You've really tapped into my geeky inner self with this one.
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Lydia, hooray for geeky inner selves! (Life would be pretty boring, otherwise.)
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