Imagine yourself in a car traveling around a sharp curve. The " centripetal" force is inward, yet why do you slide outward and not inward?
2007-04-19 09:19:08 · 2 answers · asked by d_u_guy 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The apparent force you feel is the "false" force of inertia. It is sometimes called centrifugal force but this is considered a misnomer in modern relativistic physics because strictly speaking inertia is not a true force. Inertia is the zero point between moving one way and then accelerating the other way depending on the motion of the observer. If you are in the same inertial frame of reference as a stationary object and apply this "false" force of inertia; it will not accelerate, so therefore inertia is not a true force.
2007-04-19 09:26:33 · answer #1 · answered by J C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Centripetal force is outward from the turn. If you swing a partially filled bucket around in a horizontal plane the liquid will remain on the bottom as a result of this force which you will feel tugging on the rope. It is caused by the rope (or tires) altering the momentum vector by restraining the object into the turn. If the tires skid the car will travel away from the turn.
2007-04-19 09:29:33 · answer #2 · answered by bvoyant 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋