Final answer:
The Coriolis force is an apparent force resulting from the Earth's rotation. It causes objects moving in a rotating frame of reference to appear to curve, significant in large-scale atmospheric phenomena like hurricanes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Coriolis force is best described as an apparent force due to the Earth's rotation. It is considered a fictitious force because it results from viewing the motion of objects in a rotating frame of reference, such as the rotating Earth, and has no physical origin in the sense of a force applied by a tangible source.
For example, on a merry-go-round, if you slide a ball straight from the center, the ball follows a straight path relative to the ground (assuming friction is negligible), but from your point of view on the merry-go-round, the ball appears to curve due to the Coriolis force.
In the atmosphere, this force causes the deflection of winds to the right in the Northern Hemisphere, leading to the counterclockwise rotation of hurricanes, while in the Southern Hemisphere, it causes a deflection to the left, leading to clockwise rotation in storms. The Coriolis effect is significant for large-scale motions, such as wind patterns over the Earth's surface.
Therefore answer is c) An apparent force due to the Earth's rotation.