Citation

Rast P. Collision 2008; 3(2): 48-49.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Collision Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article investigates the concept of centrifugal force by examining Newton's Law of Motion and d'Alembert's Principle. Newton's First and Second Law suggest that centrifugal force does not exist. If centrifugal force exists and is equal and opposite to centripetal force, cars or anything else in motion would never turn. D'Alembert modified Newton's law and converted a dynamics problem to a statics problem so it could be solved with the more commonly understood methods of statics. This is accomplished by introducing a fictitious force (i.e, centrifugal force) equal in magnitude to the product of the mass of the body and its acceleration, and directed opposite to the acceleration. The result is a condition of dynamic equilibrium. Although D'Alembert's principle is seldom taught today, the concept of centrifugal force continues to be of interest to drivers, pilots and researchers.