Question

Once horizontal motion has begun at this Northern Hemisphere location, the air parcel's path will be deflected to the ________ of its direction of motion.

a) Left
b) Right
c) North
d) South

Answer 1

In the Northern Hemisphere, the air parcel's path will be deflected to the right of its direction of motion due to the Coriolis effect caused by Earth's rotation. The correct answer is option (b).

Step-by-step explanation:

In the Northern Hemisphere, once horizontal motion has begun, the air parcel's path will be deflected to the right of its direction of motion. This deflection is due to the Coriolis effect, which is caused by Earth's rotation. As the air moves horizontally, it is deflected to the right because Earth's rotation creates a force that acts perpendicular to the direction of motion.

This deflection of air is responsible for the counterclockwise rotation of hurricanes in the Northern Hemisphere and the clockwise rotation in the Southern Hemisphere.