A small question for you down-under folks

[Bramblethorn]

Do it with a sink full of still, undisturbed water. At least a couple of gallons; enough to get some motion in the flowin'. Fill the sink. Let it set 10 minutes or more. Uncork. Let the water decide.

If I did that, and if I was very careful about removing the plug consistently, I expect I'd see the same result every time (or most times). But that wouldn't tell me whether that consistency is coming from the Coriolis effect or just from the design of this particular sink.

The experiment I did shows that the outcome is sensitive to initial conditions, enough so that the Coriolis effect doesn't dominate behaviour under normal, less-controlled circumstances.

 

[Britva415]

Wasn't the Darling Harbour Woodward water feature designed to reflect this very phenomenon?

In the sense that it's specifically designed to force the water to whirlpool clockwise, then maybe so.

It's definitely not designed to demonstrate the phenomenon by letting the water spin whichever way it will under the Coriolis force while minimizing other influences.

 

[Duleigh]

Most American toilets operate on a water jet that siphons the water out really fast, the water doesn't swirl down at all.

Many still swirl, it depends on the make and the model. I don't think the direction of swirl or even swirl vs deluge is a sales point but as a retired professional (as a janitor and a 1 stripe airman) I can safely say that American toilets do not swirl widdershins. (look that one up!)

I remember German toilets don't swirl. You poop on a shelf and a small tsunami takes care of the issue.

 

[alohadave]

widdershins

If you want a great urban fantasy, read Charles de Lint's Widdershins. Fantastic book.

 

[SimonDoom]

I tested my American toilet a second time, and it swirled clockwise, again.

The scientifically sound explanation is that my toilet is in a vortex, where the usual laws of the Northern Hemisphere don't apply. I may charge admission.

 

[Britva415]

I can safely say that American toilets do not swirl widdershins.

All of them?

Not ever?

 

[ElectricBlue]

I tested my American toilet a second time, and it swirled clockwise, again.

The scientifically sound explanation is that my toilet is in a vortex, where the usual laws of the Northern Hemisphere don't apply. I may charge admission.

Like most arguments though, the output depends on the input. The polite euphemism is GIGO, but it could just as easily be SISO.

 

[Duleigh]

All of them?

Not ever?

No. It's too hard for them to spell

 

[Duleigh]

If you want a great urban fantasy, read Charles de Lint's Widdershins. Fantastic book.

I had to learn to use that word for my Discworld series. Instead of North, South, East, and West I had Hubward, Rimward, Turnwise, and Widdershins. What a pain in the eema.

 

[Britva415]

No. It's too hard for them to spell

Rigth!