The Mystery of Pseudo/Inertial Forces: Explained

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SUMMARY

Pseudo forces, also known as inertial forces, arise in non-inertial reference frames due to the tendency of objects to move in a straight line unless acted upon by an external force. This terminology connects pseudo forces to Newtonian physics, particularly in the context of centripetal acceleration. The assignment of pseudo forces is applicable only to massive objects, where the force is proportional to the object's mass. Understanding this relationship is crucial for analyzing motion in non-inertial frames.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Familiarity with non-inertial reference frames
  • Basic knowledge of centripetal acceleration
  • Concept of mass and force in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of non-inertial frames in classical mechanics
  • Explore the derivation of centripetal acceleration and its applications
  • Learn about the effects of pseudo forces in rotating systems
  • Investigate the relationship between mass and force in various physical scenarios
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators teaching mechanics, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of motion in non-inertial frames.

NEILS BOHR
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Why are pseudo forces also sometimes called INERTIAL FORCES , even though their need arises because of non inertial frames??:confused:
 
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My guess would be because it was the only way to connect them to Newtonian physics such as how centripetal acceleration gets plug in.
 
NEILS BOHR said:
Why are pseudo forces also sometimes called INERTIAL FORCES , even though their need arises because of non inertial frames??:confused:
They are called "inertial", because they are a consequence of the tendency to move inertially. In non-inertial frames this inertial movement implies coordinate accelerations. Only for massive objects we can then assign a pseudo-force proportional to mass to them.
 
Last edited:
hmmm
ok thanks for ur answers!
 

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