You are at a party playing a game of “spin the bottle” when you notice an insect

Question

You are at a party playing a game of “spin the bottle” when you notice an insect in the bottle.
1. When the bottle is spinning, is the insect in an inertial or noninertial reference frame? Explain why in complete sentences.

2. When the bottle slides across the floor at a constant velocity (without spinning), is the insect in an inertial or noninertial reference frame? Why? Consider a reference frame fixed to Earth as an inertial frame, even though it really isn’t.

3. The insect in question 2a is at one end of the bottle. The insect is pushed towards the outside edge of the bottle. Explain why this happens in clear complete sentences. Is there really a force (or forces) acting on the bug? If so, what is it (are they)?

Explanation / Answer

1. non-inertial (there is acceleration as the velocity is constantly changing). 2. Inertial, because there is no acceleration. 3. Centrifugal Force pushes the insect outwards. It is a reaction force due to the centripetal force which acts inwards.

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