Was Homer Wrong?

[golf_sceptic]

now that we all understand the differences between CF & CP...which does not change the fact that there are forces acting...just definitions to clarify

Got it in one! But the next time somebody claims centrifugal
force powers anything you'll know what to say. It doesn't!

The endless belt...

I refer here only to a little video that seems to pop up regularly.
It shows a model held in somebody's hand with
the handle being turned and a series of little golf clubs
moving along a straight section (of belt) and then around
a curved section (of belt). The commentator points out how
the little clubs whiz around the curved part.

Now that's fine as far as it goes. Unfortunately that is also
as far as the model validly goes. The little clubs do whiz
around the end. Unfortunately the model does not show how the
clubhead accelerates, or that CF throws the club out or anything
else as is frequently claimed.

For reference, here is what happens in the model.
Firstly, for simplicity we assume that the handle is
being turned at a constant rate. This in turn means
that all parts of the belt are moving at a constant
speed and so are the grip ends of all the little clubs.

This has three results.
1. The clubheads are moving at a constant speed whilst
the belt is on the flat.
2. The clubheads are moving at a higher but constant
speed whilst the belt is on the curve.
3. The change in speed from lower to higher happens
instantaneously (not gradually) when the belt changes
shape from straight to curved.

When the little club moves from the straight part to
the curved part there will be quite a jolt to the little
club and you would not want to try this in real life.
It would be a bit like going over the pulleys when riding
on a chairlift in the snow. In the model this is disguised
by the general jerkiness involved in winding the handle
whilst the model is held in the hand.

As for my tone on arrival here, have a look at what you
were saying in this thread prior to my contribution especially
the "centrifugally powered golf swing" snideness and the
person who decided to visit ISG to "tell us off", followed
after my post by the mockery about the "force with no name".

I make a contribution and get a straw man argument
from one of the most knowledgeable teachers on the planet.

It cuts both ways fellas. Fair's fair!