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The rapid rotation of the Earth results in all large moving air masses in the Northern Hemisphere sidling off toward their ______ -hand side, when viewed along the direction of movement, and all moving bodies of air in the Southern Hemisphere veering toward their ______.

A. left; right
B. right; left
C. right; right
D. left; left
E. It is impossible to tell from the information provided

User Alexgirao
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Answer: The Northern Hemisphere, large moving air masses sidle off towards their left-hand side when viewed along the direction of movement, while in the Southern Hemisphere, they veer towards their right. This is due to the Coriolis effect, which is a result of the Earth's rotation and the conservation of angular momentum. The correct answer is A. left; right.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the Northern Hemisphere, the rapid rotation of the Earth causes large moving air masses, such as weather systems and storms, to deflect towards their left-hand side when viewed along the direction of movement. This phenomenon is known as the Coriolis effect. The Coriolis effect is a result of the Earth's rotation and the conservation of angular momentum.

As the Earth rotates, different latitudes move at different speeds. Near the equator, the rotational speed is higher compared to the poles. This difference in rotational speed affects the movement of air masses. When air moves from an area of higher rotational speed to an area of lower rotational speed (for example, from the equator towards the poles), it appears to veer to the right. Similarly, when air moves from an area of lower rotational speed to an area of higher rotational speed (such as from the poles towards the equator), it appears to veer to the left.

In the Southern Hemisphere, the Coriolis effect causes moving bodies of air to veer towards their right. This is because the rotational speed is higher near the poles and lower near the equator in the Southern Hemisphere.

User Carsten
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