Centrifugal force and attraction force

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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies the misconception surrounding centrifugal force and its role in circular motion. It establishes that inertia, not centrifugal force, is responsible for the sensation of being thrown outward when an object orbits in a circular path. The net attraction force between an object and Earth is calculated by subtracting the centrifugal force, which equals the centripetal force, from the object's weight. Furthermore, centrifugal force is identified as a fictitious force that only appears in non-inertial, rotating frames, emphasizing that gravitational force remains constant regardless of Earth's rotation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Familiarity with concepts of inertia and fictitious forces
  • Basic knowledge of gravitational force and centripetal force
  • Awareness of inertial and non-inertial reference frames
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of inertia in circular motion
  • Explore the differences between inertial and non-inertial reference frames
  • Research the mathematical relationship between gravitational force and centripetal force
  • Learn about the implications of fictitious forces in physics
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators explaining circular motion concepts, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of forces in rotating systems.

Nousher Ahmed
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When an object, orbiting in circular path, experiences the sensation of being thrown outward away from the of circle. We often think that an outward force or centrifugal force is responsible for this trend. But it is wrong idea. Inertia is responsible for this.
Since Earth rotates around its axis, an object standing on the surface of Earth rotates with earth. We say that it affect the downward force that object feels while standing on the surface of earth, and to calculate the net value of attraction force between Earth and object we subtract the value of centrifugal force from the weight of that object. This is because centrifugal force pulls this object outward, and the value of centrifugal force equals to that of centripetal force.
But we know that centrifugal force is not responsible for the sensation of being thrown from the of circle. So why, in the case of effect of Earth's rotation on value of gravitational force, do we think that centrifugal force wants to pull the object to outward?
 
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Nousher Ahmed said:
When an object, orbiting in circular path, experiences the sensation of being thrown outward away from the of circle. We often think that an outward force or centrifugal force is responsible for this trend. But it is wrong idea. Inertia is responsible for this.
Centrifugal force is an example of a 'fictitious' or inertial force. It only appears when viewing things from a non-inertial, rotating frame; it is used to allow Newton's laws to be applied. Viewed from an inertial reference frame, there would be no centrifugal force.

It's just a tool.
 
So why, in the case of effect of Earth's rotation on value of gravitational force...

Rotation doesn't effect gravitational force, that stays constant. What your brain interprets as the force of gravity is really the net force left over after centripetal force has been deducted from gravity.
 

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