Chapter 8.3, Problem 48SSC

To determine

The direction of the flow of surface ocean currents in the northern and southern hemisphere.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Due to Coriolis effect object moves towards right in northern hemisphere.

In southern hemisphere it moves towards left.

Explanation: 

When earth rotates about is axis it effects the direction of wind. Since winds cannot move in straight line toward south or north, due to Coriolis force, winds deflect right in northern hemisphere and left in southern hemisphere. Also due to Coriolis force spiraling pattern formed by ocean currents. Due to this, ocean currents move left in southern hemisphere and to the right in northern hemisphere.

Conclusion:

In northern hemisphere,ocean current moves towards right and in southern hemisphere it moves towards left.