What does the Coriolis force act upon?

The Coriolis force acts primarily on objects that are in motion relative to the rotating Earth. This force originates from the rotation of the Earth itself and causes moving objects, such as a parcel of air, to be deflected in their trajectory. Specifically, in the context of the atmosphere, this means that as air moves over the Earth’s surface, the Coriolis effect influences its path, resulting in the characteristic curves of wind patterns and weather systems.

This phenomenon is crucial in meteorology, as it helps determine the rotation of weather systems and contributes to the formation of cyclones and anticyclones, making it vital for understanding atmospheric dynamics. While the other options discuss stationary objects, water, and temperatures, they do not relate directly to the active deflection caused by the Coriolis effect. Only moving parcels of air experience this force as they traverse the spinning planet.