Which of the following statements with reference to Coriolis force is/are correct? 1. Coriolis force acts perpendicular to the pressure gradient force 2. At the equator, the Coriolis force is zero and the wind blows perpendicular to the isobars

Both statements about the Coriolis force are correct. Statement 1 is correct: the Coriolis force acts perpendicular to the direction of motion of an object (or wind), and since pressure gradient force also has a definite direction, the Coriolis force acts perpendicular to it when winds blow due to pressure gradient. Statement 2 is correct: the Coriolis force is zero at the equator (it varies with the sine of latitude) and maximum at the poles. With no Coriolis deflection at the equator, winds blow directly down the pressure gradient (perpendicular to isobars, from high to low pressure).