Answer on a separate sheet of paper.
Learning goal: Describe the Coriolis effect on ocean currents.
DO NOT WRITE ON THIS PAPER
Coriolis Effect Balloon Mini - Activity
Procedures:
1. Blow up a balloon and tie it off.
2. With a marker, draw the equator on the balloon.
3. Label the North and South Poles on your balloon.
4. Stand and hold the balloon in front of you, rotating it left to right simulating the
rotation of the Earth.
5. While 1 partner rotates the balloon steadily from left to right, partner 2 will try to
draw a straight line from the equator to the North Pole (Answer Question #1).
6. Partner 1 will continue to rotate the earth balloon, and partner 2 will try to draw a
straight line from the equator to the South Pole (Answer Question #2).
7. Finish Questions 3 & 4.
Questions:
1. A) What happened when you tried to draw a straight line from the equator to the
North Pole?
B) Why did this happen?
2. A) What happened when you tried to draw a straight line from the Equator to the
South Pole?
B) Why did this happen?
3. What is the difference between the way objects move over the Earth in the
northern hemisphere compared with those in the southern hemisphere? Explain
your answer.
4. What effect do currents have on marine life?