Definition of the word centrifugal force

The term "centrifugal force" is commonly used to describe the outward force that seems to act on an object as it moves in a circular or rotational motion. However, this force is not a true force in the traditional sense. In classical physics, true forces are defined as external forces that act on an object, such as gravity or friction. In contrast, centrifugal force is actually the inertia or acceleration of an object as it moves in a curved path. It arises because, as an object rotates around a fixed point, the outward motion of the object seems to oppose the inward pull, or radial force, that is actually keeping it in orbit. To understand this concept further, imagine spinning a tennis ball on a racket. From the perspective of the ball, it appears as if an outward force is pushing it away from the racket. In reality, this force is only a manifestation of the ball's own inertia as it continues to move in a circular path around the racket's center. Centrifugal force is also responsible for other phenomena, such as the "centrifuge" apparatus used in laboratory settings to separate fluids of different densities. In a centrifuge, the spinning motion generated by the rotor creates an outward force on the denser liquid, causing it to move toward the walls and leave the less dense liquid at the center. While the term "centrifugal force" is still commonly used today, scientists now recognize that it is more accurately described as the inertial force generated by acceleration. This understanding has important implications for the fields of physics, engineering, and chemistry, as it helps to explain the behavior of complex systems that involve rotational motion.