Final answer:
Centrifugal force is the apparent force experienced by an object moving in a circular path, which feels like a force pushing away from the center. It is a result of inertia and the frame of reference of the object. It is not an actual force, but rather a perception.
Step-by-step explanation:
Centrifugal force, also known as the "center-fleeing" force, is a concept used in physics to explain the outward force experienced by an object moving in a circular path. It is the apparent force acting on the object and is directed away from the center of rotation.
Centrifugal force is not an actual force, but rather a result of inertia, which is the tendency of an object to resist changes in its motion. When an object moves in a circular path, it experiences an inward force called centripetal force, which keeps it moving in the circular path. However, from the frame of reference of the object, it feels like it is being pushed away from the center, creating the sensation of centrifugal force.
For example, imagine a car moving around a sharp curve. As the car turns, it experiences a centripetal force directed toward the center of the curve, which prevents it from sliding off the road. However, from the perspective of the passengers in the car, they feel pushed outward, as if they are being flung away from the center. This sensation is due to the inertia of their bodies trying to resist the change in direction.