Posted by Scott Ellis (216.87.95.64) on September 11, 2002 at 19:35:05:
Turns out, the idea that water in a toilet bowl turns in opposite directions on each side of the equator is a myth! I found this unsettling since I have been to the equator and seen a demonstration of the phenomenon with my own eyes. In fact, it's a scam.
Indeed, the Coriolis force affects weather patterns and ocean currents. But the force is so small that you would need a toilet bowl several hundred miles in diameter in order for the Coriolis force to have any effect.
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wcorioli.htm
http://www.urbanlegends.com/science/coriolis/coriolis_force_sci_physics_faq.html
http://www.urbanlegends.com/science/coriolis/coriolis_force_tyson_debunking.html
http://www.phy6.org/stargaze/Srotfram.htm
It is interesting to note, however, that objects traveling eastward relative to the earth's surface weigh less than objects traveling westward, due to the Coriolis force.
http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/apr2000/956844408.Ph.r.html
Nevertheless, I think the jury is still out on whether or not it is possible to tap the Coriolis force at all, since it cannot do work according to classical physics.
http://www.ems.psu.edu/~fraser/Bad/BadFAQ/BadCoriolisFAQ.html
-Scott