Question

A particle of mass m is observed from an inertial frame of reference and is found to move in a circle of radius r with a uniform speed v. The centrifugal force on it is
(a) mv2r towards the centre
(b) mv2r away from the centre
(c) mv2r along the tangent through the particle
(d) zero

Answer 1

A particle of mass m is observed from an inertial frame of reference and is found to move in a circle of radius r with a uniform speed v. The centrifugal force on it is mv^2/r away from the center.

• Direction of a centrifugal force, which is also known as a pseudo force or inertial force, is always orthogonal to the motion of the body.
• So, here in this case, if a body of mass m, is rotating around a center with velocity v, and the radius of rotation is r, the centrifugal force is mv^2/r which acts away from the center.

Answer 2

A particle of mass m is observed from an inertial frame of reference and is found to move in a circle of radius r with a uniform speed v. The centrifugal force on it is zero.

Explanation:

• The centrifugal force is a synthetic force and can only be measured from the reference frame, which is the particle which is non-inertial  with respect to.

• Force:- A force is there any movement that influences an element's motion while it is unopposed..

• Inertial frame: - The inertial reference point is one where the movement of a body which is not affected to forces is in a linear line at constant velocity.