Before proceeding with this topic, one should go back through the
BIOMECH archives to a discussion in March, 1999 on this subject.
The thing called "Centrifugal" force is a confection of physics and
lay terminology that probably should be avoided in scientific
discussions. It is one of what Feynman calls "pseudo-forces." It
means a force in a rotating coordinate system that is directed
outward from the center.
So what generates such forces. Certainly not rotation. On the other
hand, if I am on the merry-go-round, I feel I am being thrown outward
as I reach for the brass ring. But I am not actually being thrown
outward. I am being pulled in a circle (accelerated inward) by my
wooden horse and the pole I am holding onto.
So, Centrifugal force is like D'Alembert's force and Coriolis force.
It is a book-keeping entry in the equations of motion. That is, it is
a reaction term to a force that produces acceleration.
--
__________________________________________________ _________________
| Gerald Gottlieb (617) 358-0719
| NeuroMuscular Research Center 353-9757
| Boston University fax 353-5737
| 19 Deerfield St.
| Boston MA 02215
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BIOMECH archives to a discussion in March, 1999 on this subject.
The thing called "Centrifugal" force is a confection of physics and
lay terminology that probably should be avoided in scientific
discussions. It is one of what Feynman calls "pseudo-forces." It
means a force in a rotating coordinate system that is directed
outward from the center.
So what generates such forces. Certainly not rotation. On the other
hand, if I am on the merry-go-round, I feel I am being thrown outward
as I reach for the brass ring. But I am not actually being thrown
outward. I am being pulled in a circle (accelerated inward) by my
wooden horse and the pole I am holding onto.
So, Centrifugal force is like D'Alembert's force and Coriolis force.
It is a book-keeping entry in the equations of motion. That is, it is
a reaction term to a force that produces acceleration.
--
__________________________________________________ _________________
| Gerald Gottlieb (617) 358-0719
| NeuroMuscular Research Center 353-9757
| Boston University fax 353-5737
| 19 Deerfield St.
| Boston MA 02215
---------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe send SIGNOFF BIOMCH-L to LISTSERV@nic.surfnet.nl
For information and archives: http://isb.ri.ccf.org/biomch-l
---------------------------------------------------------------