What is centrifugal force?

Centrifugal force is defined as an outward force experienced by an object moving in a circular path, which seems to push it away from the center of rotation. This perception arises due to the inertia of the object; as it moves in a circular motion, it tends to travel in a straight line due to its velocity. However, the constraining effect of the circular path, usually provided by forces like tension or friction, creates an experience of this outward force, which is effectively perceived as centrifugal force.

In essence, while there is no actual "force" acting outward in a rotating system—it's the result of the object's inertia acting against the required centripetal force that keeps it in circular motion—the term centrifugal force is commonly used to describe this effect felt by the object. This understanding helps clarify why the option describing centrifugal force as an outward force caused by rotation is accurate, reflecting how rotational dynamics operate from the perspective of the rotating frame.