The bathwater doesn't spin when the plug is removed in Singapore.?

Question

Is this true, or urban legend? I know it's supposed to be due to the Coriolis effect, but does it happen in bathtubs?

Answer 1

While any bathtub drain experiences the forces of coriolis, the effects are so minimal to create this spin,  that it doesn't happen.

Answer 2

Not true.

It is an urban myth and is only seen in very large whirlpools, not in sinks/bath tubs.

Water spins different ways in northern or southern hemisphere, mostly dictated by whiuch side the tap is on and the shape of the sink/tub.

This far outweighs the Coriolis effect in such a small amount of water.

EDIT: Please don;t believe people who sya it is true based on what they've seen on tv.  Its an old scam and very easy to replicate that it spins in differnt directions depending on how you fill the buck up.

See link below for slightly more scientific explanation.

http://www.snopes.com/science/coriolis.a...

Answer 3

URBAN LEGEND

I can assure you it does rotate on the way through the plughole (I have been there a few times)!

Singapore is 1 degree 16.75 minutes north of the equator.

Nairobi (I have also worked there) is 1 degree 34.50 minutes South of the equator and it goes the opposite way.

the coriollis effect is very sensitive and has been proved just 3 metres either side of the equator and it does work... and exactly on the equator it goes str8 down most of time but you have to be exactly (within a few cm) of the equator for this to work.

Answer 4

Really? I wonder what they do for entertainment, then.

Answer 5

must be on the equator then??

Answer 6

it all to do with the shape of the plug hole which puts a far greater force on the water than the coriolis effect