Why is centrifugal force in a rotating frame called a fictitious force?

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Physics

Bernard Rush

21 May, 13:57

Why is centrifugal force in a rotating frame called a fictitious force?

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Maia Glover · Answer 1

They are called "fictitious" because the physical forces leading to motion are accounted for in the construction of the non-inertial frame rather than being included as a "real force" term in the equation of motion. Instead, the terms are built into the equation of motion itself in a non-inertial frame.