Fake forces on rotating frames of reference.

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the dynamics of a rotating frictionless disk and the forces experienced by a small ball located at its edge from the perspective of a rotating observer. The observer, situated in a non-inertial frame, perceives the ball moving in a circular path with an angular velocity ω opposite to his frame. The analysis confirms that both centrifugal and Coriolis forces act on the ball, with their net effect resulting in an inward centripetal force that aligns with the circular motion observed in the rotating frame.

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  • Understanding of non-inertial frames of reference
  • Familiarity with centrifugal and Coriolis forces
  • Basic knowledge of angular velocity (ω)
  • Concept of centripetal force in circular motion
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House
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Suppose we have a rotating frictionless disk and there is a rotating observer on the center of it. Furthermore, suppose a very small ball on the disk's edge. Now we clearly know that the ball is not moving but the rotating observer sees the ball following a circular path with an angular velocity ω opposite of the one of his frame of reference. He now has to explain that movement and, since he is in a non-inertial frame, he has to introduce some non Newtonian forces. Accepting that the ball has a relative velocity vr in the non-inertial frame, the question is:
Is there a centifugal force and a Coriolis force acting on the ball? Or does the ball have to "physically" be included on the disk?
 
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Update: The math says that the rotating observer measures a force given by: F = mω×(ω×r) which is towards the center of the circular motion. Is that it?
 
House said:
Now we clearly know that the disk is not moving...
I assume you mean the ball is at rest in the inertial frame of reference.

House said:
Accepting that the ball has a relative velocity vr in the non-inertial frame, the question is: Is there a centifugal force and a Coriolis force acting on the ball?
Yes, both are acting in opposite directions, and their net effect is the inwards centripetal force, that matches the circular movement in the rotating frame.
 
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