Re: Centrifugal force

[LUDWIK KOWALSKI <KOWALSKIL@alpha.montclair.edu>]

On 30/04/98 -0700, Leigh wrote:

> .... In Newtonian mechanics an inertial frame is operationally defined 
> as one in which the law of inertia holds; it is as simple as that. ...

The law of inertia states that "if the net force acting on a body is zero
then the velocity remains constant". I do not see why this should not be 
applicable in the rotating frame of reference. If the bead on the rotaing
straw does not accelerate then the net force acting on it is zero.

A frame of reference is inertial if it does not accelerate with respect
to a frame which is already known to be inertial (the frame of distant 
stars). What is wrong with this operational definition?
                                                        Ludwik Kowalski