Centrifugal force (from
Latin centrum "centre" and fugere "to flee") is a term which may refer to two different
forces which are related to
rotation. Both of them are oriented away from the
axis of rotation, but the object on which they are exerted differs.A real or "
reactive" centrifugal force occurs in reaction to a
centripetal acceleration acting on a mass. This centrifugal force is equal in magnitude to the
centripetal force, directed away from the center of rotation, and is exerted by the rotating object upon the object which imposes the centripetal acceleration in accordance with Newton's Third Law of Motion. Although this sense was used by
Isaac Newton, it is only occasionally used in modern discussions.A pseudo or "
fictitious" centrifugal force appears when a rotating
reference frame is used for analysis. The (true) frame acceleration is substituted by a (fictitious) centrifugal force that is exerted on all objects, and directed away from the axis of rotation. Both of the above can be easily observed in action for a passenger riding in a car. If a car swerves around a corner, a passenger's body seems to move towards the outer edge of the car and then pushes against the door.
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The apparent force which pushes a body outwards when it is in circular motion. In fact, there is no force acting at all, hence the term 'apparent'. The motion outwards is experienced because of changing frames of reference. For instance, when a car is turning around a corner, the car's frame of reference is changing but the passengers do not want to change their frame of reference and try to continue travelling in a straight line, hence they feel pulled towards to outer side of the car. (see also
centripetal force).