What does "centrifugal force" generally describe?

Centrifugal force is a concept used to describe the apparent force that seems to act outward on a mass when it is in a rotating system. This phenomenon occurs due to the inertia of the object, which resists changes to its motion. When an object is spinning in a circular path, it tends to move straight out due to this inertia. To an observer within the rotating frame of reference, it appears as though there is a force pushing the object away from the center of rotation.

It is important to note that centrifugal force is not a "real" force in the classical sense; rather, it is a perceived force that arises from the circular motion of the rotating system. In contrast, the actual force that keeps the mass moving in a circular path is called centripetal force, which acts inward toward the center of the rotation to keep the object in the circular path. Understanding this distinction helps to clarify how centrifugal force is interpreted within the context of rotational dynamics.