Final answer:
The Coriolis effect causes the actual path of a message in a bottle to differ from its intended path, as it results in the deflection of wind and ocean currents due to Earth's rotation, affecting both the direction and the destination of the bottle.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between the intended and actual destination of a message in a bottle thrown into the ocean and influenced by the wind from the North Pole is primarily caused by the Coriolis effect. The Coriolis effect is a phenomenon that causes moving air and water to turn to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere due to Earth's rotation. This can have a marked impact on weather patterns, including the direction of hurricane rotations and the deflection of wind patterns.
In the context of a bottle at sea, as the wind contributes to the surface currents that drive the bottle's movement, the Coriolis effect will influence its pathway. The difference in the actual path of the bottle as compared to its intended straight-line route is due to the effect of the Earth's rotation on the large-scale motions like ocean currents and wind directions. For instance, if the wind blowing from the North Pole aims to carry the bottle in a straight line, the Coriolis effect would cause its path to curve, altering its final destination.