Final answer:
Hurricanes do not form along the equator because the Coriolis force, which is crucial for their rotation, is too weak at the equator. Therefore, the correct answer is (b) along the equator.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hurricanes, also known as tropical cyclones, are powerful storm systems characterized by low-pressure centers, strong winds, and heavy rains. They develop over warm waters where the temperature exceeds 80 °F. The Coriolis force is essential for the rotation of hurricanes, causing those in the Northern Hemisphere to rotate counterclockwise and those in the Southern Hemisphere to rotate clockwise. This rotation effect is nonexistent along the equator, where the Coriolis force is too weak, hence hurricanes do not form along the equator.
The main conditions necessary for hurricane formation include warm sea surface temperatures, sufficient Coriolis force to initiate rotation, and a pre-existing weather disturbance. The Coriolis effect becomes negligible at the equator, and because of this, hurricanes typically do not form along the equator (option b). Rather, they form within tropical regions just north or south of the equator, often originating from disturbances such as easterly waves, along the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), or when the trade wind inversion is weak, which allows for the upward motion of warm, moist air leading to the development of a cyclone.