Q1: What is the Coriolis force, and how does the FX-518 demonstrate it?
The Coriolis force is an apparent force experienced by a body moving within a rotating reference frame, causing it to deflect from a straight-line path as observed from within that frame. The FX-518 demonstrates this by projecting a radial water jet from a pump mounted on a rotating arm. When the arm is stationary, the jet travels in a straight radial line. When the arm rotates, the jet deflects from that reference path — to the left or right depending on the direction of rotation — with the deflection magnitude increasing with rotation speed.
Q2: How is the deflection of the water jet measured on the FX-518?
The deflection of the water jet is measured using a graduated scale marked on the transparent water tank, which rotates with the arm and therefore provides a fixed reference in the rotating frame. By comparing the jet position on the scale during rotation against the straight-line reference position observed when the arm is stationary, students can read the angular or linear deflection directly. The digital speed display allows this deflection to be correlated with a precise rotation rate.
Q3: Does the direction of Coriolis deflection change with the direction of rotation?
Yes. Reversing the direction of arm rotation reverses the direction of water jet deflection. This directly demonstrates the vector nature of the Coriolis force, which depends on both the velocity of the moving body and the angular velocity of the rotating frame. In the Northern Hemisphere analogy, the Coriolis effect deflects moving bodies to the right; in the Southern Hemisphere, to the left — mirroring the reversal observed on the FX-518 when rotation direction is changed.
Q4: Does the FX-518 require an external water supply?
No. The FX-518 operates on a fully closed water circuit. Water projected by the nozzle falls back into the transparent tank and is recirculated continuously by the submersible pump. The apparatus requires only a standard power supply connection and no external water inlet or drain connection, making it straightforward to set up and operate on any standard laboratory bench.
Q5: What is included in the scope of delivery for the FX-518?
The FX-518 is supplied as a complete unit including: one Coriolis force experimental unit with rotating arm, transparent water tank, submersible pump, radial nozzle, graduated deflection scale, speed sensor, and digital speed display; one power cord; and one instructional manual covering operating procedures, experimental observations, and the underlying theory of the Coriolis effect and rotating reference frames.