This is one of those \"out in left field\" questions that Idon\'t even know wher

Question

This is one of those "out in left field" questions that Idon't even know where to begin to answer. Would appreciatethe help! Here's the question:
"Calculate the difference between the magnitude of thegravitational force and the magnitude of the normal force exertedon a 100kg object at the equator. Which of the two forces isequal in magnitude to the weight of the object?"
Also, why isn't "centrifugal force" a force? This is one of those "out in left field" questions that Idon't even know where to begin to answer. Would appreciatethe help! Here's the question:

Also, why isn't "centrifugal force" a force?

Explanation / Answer

The magnitude of the gravitational force should be equal to themagnitude of the normal force if the object is not on an incline orhave any force acting up on it. If the object is on an incline,then the difference in magnitude is Fg cos , where is the angle of the incline from the ground. If an upwardforce (however slightly upward) is acting on the object, then thedifference in magnitude is simply the force's upward component, orF sin . The gravitational force is equal in magnitude to the weight of theobject (unless the normal force is the same) because it is theforce responsible for the object's weight. In fact, weight bydefinition (at least according to my book) is the force gravityexerts on an object. The centrifugal force is a "fake" force; it is not a force becausethere is no force acting upon an object in the air (neglecting airresistance, gravity, etc. which you know isn't the "centrifugalforce"). Despite its name, it is not a force because the objectonly appears to be changing direction from the point of view of aperson who is himself moving. This link may help you:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centrifugal_force_%28rotating_reference_frame%29.

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