Physics and Centrifugal force (professionals only, please). Is centrifugal force real?

Question

I have heard centrifugal force described as the natural force that pushes an object swung in a circle away from the center.

I have also read a book, written by a Physics teacher, that says centrifugal force is a myth.

I would like some extra opinions, please. If you could cite a source, that'd be great.

Answer 1

This is an age old 'non-argument'.
Centripital (center seeking) force is what acts on an object to cause it to move in a circle. Period. There is no 'centrifugal' force trying to 'pull' it away from the center. However, anything which has the object as its inertial reference frame will 'feel' the acceleration (caused by the external force) as a force acting on it in a direction away from the center.

They 'myth' of centrifugal force is really a question of which inertial reference frame you are talking about.

HTH ☺

Doug

Answer 2

centrifugal force is the object trying to go in a straight line (newton's laws) but being acted on by another force (gravity, for instance) which prevents it from doing so.