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One often comes across the following type of statement concerning circular motion:"A particle moving uniformly along a circle, experiences a force directed towards the centre (centripetal force) and an equal and opposite force directed away from the centre (centrifugal force). The two forces together keep the particle in equilibrium."Explain, what is wrong with this statement. |
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Answer» For an observer at rest with respect to the particle, the observer is also moving with the same speed as the particle, the statement is correct. In other words, in a non-inertial frame of reference, having an accelerated motion, the centripetal force equals the centrifugal force. The particle remains in equilibrium. In the inertial frame of reference, the particle in uniform circular motion is not in equilibrium and hence the statement is wrong. Since, the particle has a radial acceleration v2/R, it has a radial force mv2/R acting on it. Thus, the net force acting on the particle is not zero and there is no centrifugal force in an inertial frame. |
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