Wanting clarification on Centrifugal force

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of centrifugal force, particularly in the context of a car making a right turn. Participants explore the relationship between centrifugal and centripetal forces, addressing misconceptions and clarifying the forces at play during circular motion.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes their experience of feeling pushed against the car door during a turn and questions whether this sensation is due to centrifugal force, expressing uncertainty about the relationship between centripetal and centrifugal forces.
  • Another participant asserts that the force causing deviation from a straight line is centripetal force, while centrifugal force is described as a reaction force that should not be considered in the solution.
  • A third participant explains that static friction from the car tires provides the necessary centripetal force for the turn, while loose objects in the car will continue moving straight due to insufficient friction, illustrating the concept with the driver's perspective.
  • One participant suggests rethinking the scenario by stating that the door is being forced into the driver, emphasizing that the driver's body attempts to move straight while the car turns due to centripetal force.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature and role of centrifugal force, with some arguing it is not a real force while others describe it as a reaction to centripetal force. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the conceptual understanding of these forces.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the definitions of centrifugal and centripetal forces, and the participants do not fully resolve the implications of these definitions on their understanding of the forces involved in circular motion.

RoyceB
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I was wondering if someone could help dissect my understanding of Centrifugal force and explain any errors in my logic. So imagining that I am driving a car and making a right turn. I make the right turn and am forced into the side of the door. I feel a force acting on me but after I make my turn and adjust my position I no longer feel it. I am wondering if during that turn that feeling I have of being pushed is a centrifugal force. My body wants to continue straight due to Inertia but I make the turn and my body fights against it. I guess my main question is, is the Centripetal Force less than the Centrifugal Force or once I am touching the door they become equal. I am not sure if I am making sense. But the Centrifugal force is causing me to move away from the center of the circle and do I not have a Centripetal Force acting on me until I reach the door or do I always have it when moving in a circle. I am wondering if someone could lay it out and remove the incorrect thoughts I have.
 
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The force that causes you to deviate from a straight line (in a circle) is the centripetal force as in F = M a.
The force that you exert on the door is the centrifugal force which is a reaction force and not
to be considered in the solution.
Remember also, Newton's first law.
 
The car tires on the road have a enough static friction to act as centripetal force which forces the car to make the turn. Any loose objects in the car that do not have enough friction to act as a centripetal force will continue to move in a straight line (due to the absence of a centripetal force) and from the driver's point of view will seem to slide to the side of the car (or outside of the car if the window is open). The same is happening to the driver, except that you will have the seat-belt to stop you from sliding to the side of the car. Careful when saying Centrifugal force, Centrifugal force isn't an actual physical force, it is used to describe the lack of a Centripetal force.
 
RoyceB said:
I make the right turn and am forced into the side of the door.

It's better to think of the door being forced into you. Your body tries to go straight on but the car is turning due to the centripetal force which acts towards the centre of the turn.
 
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