Fictitious Forces
All non-inertial reference frames exhibit fictitious forces. Rotating reference frames are characterized by three fictitious forces
- the centrifugal force
- the Coriolis force
and, for non-uniformly rotating reference frames,
- the Euler force.
Scientists living in a rotating box can measure the speed and direction of their rotation by measuring these fictitious forces. For example, Léon Foucault was able to show the Coriolis force that results from the Earth's rotation using the Foucault pendulum. If the Earth were to rotate a thousandfold faster (making each day only ≈86 seconds long), these fictitious forces could be felt as easily by humans, as they are when on a spinning carousel.
Read more about this topic: Rotating Reference Frame
Famous quotes containing the words fictitious and/or forces:
“It is, indeed, at home that every man must be known by those who would make a just estimate either of his virtue or felicity; for smiles and embroidery are alike occasional, and the mind is often dressed for show in painted honour, and fictitious benevolence.”
—Samuel Johnson (1709–1784)
“Her wrongs are ... indissolubly linked with all undefended woe, all helpless suffering, and the plenitude of her “rights” will mean the final triumph of all right over might, the supremacy of the moral forces of reason and justice and love in the government of the nation. God hasten the day.”
—Anna Julia Cooper (1859–1964)