What is a pseudo-force and how does it relate to non inertial reference frames?

It is called a pseudo-force because it is not a real force acting on the body.In summary, a pseudo-force is a fictitious force that appears to act on a body when its motion is observed from a non-inertial reference frame. This does not necessarily mean that the reference frame is accelerating with respect to the body or the earth, but rather that the object is accelerating relative to an object in free-fall. An example of this is when an object in a bus feels like it is being pulled to the back of the bus, when in reality the bus is accelerating forward and there is no real force acting on the object. This is why it is called a pseudo-force.
  • #1
sankarshana016
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So I was told that a pseudo-force acts on a body when its's motion is analysed with respect to a non inertial reference frame. I'm a bit confused. Does that mean the reference frame is accelerating with respect to the body, or with respect to the earth? And why does there have to be any sort of pseudo force?
 
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  • #2
sankarshana016 said:
So I was told that a pseudo-force acts on a body when its's motion is analysed with respect to a non inertial reference frame. I'm a bit confused. Does that mean the reference frame is accelerating with respect to the body, or with respect to the earth?

Neither. It means that an object at rest in that coordinate system is accelerating relative to an object in free-fall.
 
  • #3
may be an example might help. Imagine you're in a Bus and it starts accelerating. You will feel like you're being pulled to the back of the bus. In fact you're not being pulled at all and the bus instead is accelerating forward. The bus is the non inertial frame since it is accelerating and the illusion that you're being pulled to the back of the bus is the pseudo-force.
 

1. What is a non-inertial reference frame?

A non-inertial reference frame is a coordinate system in which Newton's laws of motion do not hold true. In other words, objects in this frame do not move with constant velocity unless acted upon by a force.

2. How does a non-inertial reference frame differ from an inertial reference frame?

An inertial reference frame is a coordinate system in which Newton's laws of motion hold true. This means that objects in this frame move with constant velocity unless acted upon by a force, and there is no acceleration without the presence of a force. In contrast, a non-inertial reference frame experiences fictitious forces that cause objects to accelerate even without the presence of a force.

3. What causes a reference frame to be non-inertial?

A reference frame becomes non-inertial when it is accelerating or rotating. This acceleration or rotation causes fictitious forces to act on objects within the frame, making the frame non-inertial.

4. Can we still use Newton's laws of motion in a non-inertial reference frame?

No, Newton's laws of motion are only valid in inertial reference frames. In non-inertial frames, we must use modified equations that account for the fictitious forces present.

5. What are some examples of non-inertial reference frames?

Some examples of non-inertial reference frames include a car accelerating or decelerating, a rotating platform, and a merry-go-round. These frames experience acceleration or rotation, causing them to be non-inertial.

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