Question

Define centrifugal force. Explain any one example.

Answer 1

Hint: Centrifugal force is force which acts on a rotating body when viewed from the rotating frame of reference. It acts in a direction away from the centre of rotation of the body.

Detailed step by step solution:
When a body is moving in a circular path or exhibiting a rotational motion, there are two types of forces that come into action and make the rotational motion possible. It is centripetal force and centrifugal force.

Centripetal force is defined as the force acting on an object moving in a curvilinear path directed towards the axis of rotation. Centrifugal force is a force which arises due to the inertia of the moving body and is directed outwards from the axis of rotation of the body. Centrifugal force is characterized by an acceleration pushing the body outwards.

Examples of centrifugal force: A vehicle driving around a curve on the road.

Centrifugal force can be experienced by passengers in a vehicle which is moving round a curve on the road. When a vehicle moves along a straight road with constant velocity, the passengers are essentially at rest and experience no force. When the vehicle goes around a curve, there is acceleration taking place to move in circular motion and the passenger experiences an outward force away from the axis of rotation of the vehicle. This outward force is the centrifugal force.

Note: Centrifugal force is also called pseudo force or fictitious force. It cannot be noticed from an inertial frame of reference. This means that only the passenger inside the car can feel it but an observer on the road outside cannot observe the manifestation of this force.