Learn about the history of science by reading about the significant scientific events that took place on this day in history. JANUARY 29 – BIRTHS: William Ferrel American meteorologist who was an important contributor to the understanding of oceanic and atmospheric circulation. He was able to show the interrelation of the various forces upon the Earths surface, such as gravity, rotation and friction. Ferrel was first to mathematically demonstrate the influence of the Earths rotation on the presence of high and low pressure belts encircling the Earth, and on the deflection of air and water currents. The latter was a derivative of the effect theorized by Gustave de Coriolis in 1835, and became known as Ferrels law. Ferrel also considered the effect that the gravitational pull of the Sun and Moon might have on the Earths rotation and concluded (without proof, but correctly) that the Earths axis wobbles a bit.
Posted on: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 07:25:29 +0000
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