What does centrifugal force refer to?

Centrifugal force refers to the apparent force that acts outward on a body moving around a center, arising from the body's inertia. It is a result of the circular motion that an object experiences; as it moves along its circular path, its tendency to move in a straight line due to inertia creates the effect of being pushed outward away from the center. This force is not a true force in the classical sense but rather a perceived force experienced in a rotating reference frame.

In contrast to this, other concepts like gravitational force or physical weight do not encapsulate the motion and effects produced by inertia in a circular path, which is why they do not properly define centrifugal force. Understanding this concept is essential since it plays a significant role in many engineering applications, including aviation, where the effects of centrifugal force must be accounted for in the design and operation of aircraft.