The curved path taken by free moving forces due to Earth’s rotation is known as what?

The curved path taken by free-moving forces due to Earth’s rotation is referred to as the Coriolis effect. This phenomenon arises because the Earth rotates on its axis, causing objects moving over the surface to experience a deflection relative to the rotating frame of reference. In the Northern Hemisphere, moving objects are deflected to the right, while in the Southern Hemisphere, they are deflected to the left. The Coriolis effect plays a significant role in meteorology and oceanography, influencing wind patterns and ocean currents.

Understanding the Coriolis effect is crucial for pilots, meteorologists, and anyone involved in aviation since it affects flight paths and weather systems. In contrast, the other terms do not pertain to the deflection caused by the Earth's rotation. Gravitational drift refers to the slow change in the Earth's gravitational field, while rotational inertia and angular velocity relate to the physics of rotation but do not directly describe the effects of Earth's rotation on moving objects in the atmosphere.