Tsentrifuugjõud

Tsentrifuugjõud, often translated as centrifugal force, is a term used to describe an apparent outward force experienced by an object moving in a curved path. It is not a fundamental force in the same way that gravity or electromagnetism are, but rather an effect arising from inertia. When an object is forced to change direction, its tendency is to continue in a straight line due to inertia. The force that causes it to deviate from this straight path is the centripetal force, acting inwards towards the center of curvature.

From the perspective of an observer rotating with the object, it appears as though there is an outward force pushing the object away from the center of rotation. This apparent outward force is what is commonly referred to as centrifugal force. It is a fictitious force, meaning it exists only in the rotating frame of reference. In an inertial (non-accelerating) frame of reference, only the centripetal force is present.

A common example is a person in a car turning a corner. The car, and the person inside, are subjected to a centripetal force from the road pushing the tires inwards. From the person's perspective inside the car, they feel pushed outwards against the car door, which is the sensation of centrifugal force. Another example is a centrifuge, where objects are spun at high speeds. The rapid rotation creates a large outward apparent force, separating substances based on their density. The magnitude of this apparent centrifugal force is proportional to the object's mass, the square of its angular velocity, and the radius of the circular path.