Using great circles to understand motion on a rotating sphere

Motion observed in a rotating frame of reference is generally explained by invoking inertial forces. While this approach simplifies some problems, there is often little physical insight into the motion, in particular into the effects of the Coriolis force. To aid in the understanding of three-dimensional inertial forces, motion on a rotating sphere is considered from the points of view of an inertial observer and of an observer fixed on the sphere. The inertial observer observes the motion to be along a great circle fixed in the inertial frame, in analogy with simple straight-line motion in the two-dimensional case. This simple ‘‘straight-line’’ viewpoint of the inertial observer is reconciled qualitatively and quantitatively with the view of the rotating observer that requires inertial forces in order to account for the motion. Through a succession of simple examples, the Coriolis and centrifugal effects are isolated and illustrated, as well as effects due to the curvilinear nature of motion on a sphere. © 2000 American Association of Physics Teachers.