Centrifugal force

The Centrifugal Force – Definition and Explanation

The Centrifugal Force is a term used to refer to the apparent force that appears to push objects away from the center of rotation when they are moving in a circular path. This force arises due to the effect of inertia and is considered as an outward force that opposes the centripetal force.

The Centripetal Force is the force that is required to keep objects moving in a circular path, towards the center of rotation. This force is always directed towards the center of the circle, while the Centrifugal Force acts in the opposite direction, away from the center.

When an object is moving in a circle, it experiences a continuous change in its direction of motion, which leads to an acceleration. This acceleration is directed towards the center of the circle and is defined as the Centripetal Acceleration. This acceleration is responsible for causing the Centripetal Force.

In contrast, the Centrifugal Force appears to be pulling the object outward due to its inertia. But in reality, it is simply an effect of the non-inertial reference frame that is used to observe the object’s motion. The object is, in fact, following a circular path, and there is no actual force that is pushing it outwards.

In summary, the Centrifugal Force is an apparent force that arises due to the effect of inertia and opposes the Centripetal Force. While the Centripetal Force is responsible for keeping objects moving in a circular path, the Centrifugal Force is simply an effect that arises due to the non-inertial reference frame used to observe the object’s motion.