What is centrifugal force?
We are all familiar with the effects of centrifugal force, we experience it for example every time we are in a car and take a bend – we feel a force pushing us to the outside of the curve. If, for example, you have placed your sunglasses on the seat next to you it would come as no surprise if, when taking a sharp bend at speed, they slide across the seat. Centrifugal force is sometimes referred to as a ‘fictitious’ force, because it is present only for an accelerated object and does not exist in an inertial frame. An inertial frame is where an object moves in a straight line at a constant speed. But Einstein’s general theory of relativity allows observers even in a non-inertial frame to regard themselves at rest, and the forces they feel to be real. Centrifugal force is not fictitious, it is a real force. Centrifugal force arises due to the property of mass known as inertia – the reluctance of a body to change either its speed or direction. A body that is at rest will stay at rest unti
Centrifugal force is the force which describes the outward pressure that is exhibited around an object rotating around a central point. The centrifugal force definition is based on a Latin phrase which means “fleeing the center,” an accurate description based on what is being observed. There are some physicists who claim that true centrifugal forces do not exist, that an object’s reaction to such a force can be explained by other means. One possible explanation for centrifugal force rests in Newton’s law of inertia. This law states that an object in a uniform motion tends to stay in that same motion unless there is pressure exerted by an outside force. For example, a ball being twirled around on a string would tend to go in a straight line if not for the string and the force the string puts on the ball. Therefore, the ball, instead of going in a straight line, goes in a circular motion around the center of the pivot. This explanation, why easily understandable, does not explain all asp
So why was the concept of centrifugal force invented? Centrifugal force was invented to allow us to do proper bookkeeping in a noninertial frame, if we insist on using such a frame to work with Newton’s laws (and there might be a good reason for wanting to do so). For a simple example of a noninertial frame, consider what happens when you stand in a bus while the driver brakes. For a few moments, every passenger moves forward. The heavier ones feel a strong force that acts on their large mass, while the lighter ones feel a small force acting on their small mass. All feel the same acceleration. This is called a fictitious force, because it’s a force that we invoke to explain why we are suddenly accelerated forward. In the (almost) inertial frame of the outside street, this force doesn’t exist. The real force there is a single simple one provided by the friction of the ground on the bus tyres, and transmitted through its brakes to its body. This force accelerates the bus backwards–or, t
Is it a real force? Could you give us a simple explanation and some examples of centrifugal force so that my elementary students will understand this concept? Thank you, Miss R. Additionally: Thank you very much for responding to our question about centripetal force. We will be trying the experiment. We have one more related question. What then is centrifugal force? and What is the difference between centripetal and centrifugal forces? —————————————— Giselle, Centrifugal force is a virtual force. It is not really a force. There are some situations you can be in that have you accelerating without speeding up. One of these is a carnival ride that spins around in a circle at a constant speed. I know one where you feel pressed against the wall very tightly, and then the floor drops out. Most people would believe they were moving steadily, with there bodies being pressed tightly against the wall (outward, in a cetrifugal direction). This is centripetal force. Thi
