Centrifugalkræfterne

Centrifugalkræfterne, often translated as centrifugal forces, is a concept used in physics to describe the apparent outward force experienced by an object moving in a circular path. This force is not a true force in the Newtonian sense, but rather an inertial effect. When an object moves in a circle, its velocity is constantly changing direction. According to Newton's first law of motion, an object in motion will stay in motion with constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force. In the case of circular motion, a centripetal force is continuously acting on the object, pulling it towards the center of the circle, thus changing its direction.

The centrifugal effect arises from the perspective of an observer rotating with the object. From this rotating frame of reference, it appears as though there is an outward force pushing the object away from the center. This perceived force is the centrifugal force. It's important to distinguish between the real centripetal force that causes the circular motion and the apparent centrifugal force experienced in the rotating frame. A common example is being in a car that turns a corner; you feel pushed outwards, but this is due to your inertia wanting to continue in a straight line, while the car's tires provide the centripetal force to make it turn. The centrifugal force is a fictitious force that arises from the choice of a non-inertial (accelerating) reference frame. It is a crucial concept for understanding phenomena in rotating systems, from centrifuges to planetary orbits when viewed from a co-rotating frame.