Centrifugal Force help please?

Question

I know centrifugal force is "false" so to speak.

But what kinds of situations would I "feel" the force in?

Answer 1

Suppose that the frame of reference is moving in a circular path. Then it has centripetal acceleration. If you are observing the motion of any object with reference to this frame, then you have to consider centrifugal force on that object.



Suppose some platform is rotating. You are standing on it. You have to catch something (for example a handle) tightly. Otherwise, you will be thrown out. This is because in the frame of reference of the platform, there is a centrifugal force on you.

Answer 2

Unfortunately, inspite of our feelings, there is no such thing. It's false, it's non-existent, and you will never feel it. When you go round a circle in a roller coaster or merry go-round, there is no force pushing you radially outward, rather, by Newton's 1st law, you have a tendency to fly tangentially, as that is the direction of the velocity with which you will continue if there was no force. In fact, if there was a centrifugal force, you can never go round in a circle, you will continually get thrown radially out, not tangentially.



So what causes you to go round a circle, for if there was no force, you will surely continue on the tangential path? And what is the push you feel in a circular path? That is the tricky centripetal force. Actually, there no trick to it. The railing of a merry-go-round or the seat in a roller coaster pushes you inwards, towards the center of the circle, so that you don't fly off at a tangent, rather, as a result of the force, you accelerate towards the center. That is not to say you quickly make a bee-line to the center, rather, your motion gets a radial acceleration so the direction of the velocity changes a little towards the center and you land up in a circular path.



Makes sense?



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Answer 3

An example would be when your riding a roller coaster, as you ride around a loop, you have the feeling that you and the whole cart will fly off the track.

Answer 4

when you train to be an airforce pilot.