This is a real Newtonian force - a real (electrostatic?) interaction between
you and your brother. As viewed from an inertial frame, it will contribute
to your brother's acceleration in its own direction (the direction of the
push). It will be vectorially added to the accelerating effects of other
real forces on him (eg, friction with the floor, wind, etc).
You, a rotating observer, will also see accelerating effects of this and the
other real forces on your brother. In addition, your own acceleration will
add a centrifugal accelerating effect to his motion as observed by you.
Bob Sciamanda (W3NLV)
Physics, Edinboro Univ of PA (em)
trebor@velocity.net http://www.velocity.net/~trebor
----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Cohen" <Robert.Cohen@PO-BOX.ESU.EDU>
To: <PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu>
Sent: Friday, December 13, 2002 9:47 AM
Subject: Re: centrifugal force (cont)
| My brother and I are on a rotating platform (like the kind at playgro=
| unds). While it is spinning, I push my brother off by exerting a for=
| ce on him directed away from the center. Is this a real centrifugal =
| force? . . .