centripetal force vs. centrifugal force

centripetal force vs. centrifugal force: What's the difference?

Centripetal force and centrifugal force both refer to power exerted on a body moving along a curved path. Centripetal force is an actual force directed towards the center of a curved path that makes a body follow the curve. Centrifugal force is not real, but a term created to describe the feeling that you’re flying outward when you’re moving in a curved line (think making a sharp turn in a fast car).

centripetal force

noun

the force, acting upon a body moving along a curved path, that is directed toward the center of curvature of the path and constrains the body to the path.

centrifugal force

noun

an outward force on a body rotating about an axis, assumed equal and opposite to the centripetal force and postulated to account for the phenomena seen by an observer in the rotating body.