The Coriolis effect is the result of the rotating reference frame that we are on and not friction. The Newtonian equation of F=ma is only valid when dealing with an inertial reference. The surface of the earth is really not an inertial reference plane. We can get away with treating it as an inertial reference if we are dealing with small movements. For big guns that can launch a projectile tens or hundreds of miles, coriolis may be relevant depending on the accuracy required. Also, it does not travel in a great circle route unless it is capable of mid-course guidance. For a simple point-mass model of a projectile, only atmospheric parameters are involved. For a six degree of freedom model, projectile spin as well as coriolis, and a whole bunch of other parameters, are included in the equation. For those interested, Modern Exterior Ballistics by Robert L. McCoy is an excellent book.
__________________
Wile
|