It seems like it could be, but it also seems like it might not be as it is just another name for inertia, right?
2006-12-01 03:44:49 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
That is actually a very old philosophical question. Water is pushed to the sides of a spinning bucket. Now take away the rest of the universe. How do you know the bucket is spinning? Would the watter still stick to the sides of the bucket? I say it would, but not everyone agrees.
2006-12-01 03:50:35 · answer #1 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has nothing to do with mass outside the spinning system. Centrifugal force is not like gravity. An object in motion wants to keep moving at the same speed in a straight line. In order to change its direction (or speed) you must apply a force to it. If you attach a ball to a string and spin it around, its the tension in the string that is keeping the ball moving in a circle - cut the string and it shoots off in a straight line.
2006-12-01 14:56:00 · answer #2 · answered by Leonardo D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't quote me on thins but I do not think that the mass outside has to do with the centrifugal force.
2006-12-01 11:50:37 · answer #3 · answered by me 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋