Re: centrifugal force (cont)

[Larry Cartwright <exit60@CABLESPEED.COM>]

Robert Cohen wrote:
> My brother and I are on a rotating platform (like the kind at
> playgrounds).  While it is spinning, I push my brother off by
> exerting a force on him directed away from the center.  Is this
> a real centrifugal force?

I believe the prevailing "fiat centrifugalium" requires that a
"centrifugal force" occur exclusively as a result of the rotational
motion, not as the result of anything else such as one's brother's
momentary disregard for safe playground practices.

For example, your brother is wearing rollerblades and finds himself
rolling toward the outer edge of the merry go round with no one pushing
him; if he is an ordained centrifugalist, he will punctuate his fall
from the edge of the platform with the cry, "Centrifugal force just
pushed me off the merry go round!"

Best wishes,

Larry

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Larry Cartwright     <exit60@cablespeed.com>
Retired Physics Teacher
Charlotte MI 48813 USA
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Lord, preserve us from the excesses of those
who would do us harm; and preserve us from
the excesses of those who would protect us.
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