Which force acts away from the center of a rotating body?

The centrifugal force is the correct choice because it describes the outward force that is perceived when an object is undergoing circular motion. When a body rotates, the inertia of the object causes it to move away from the center of rotation. This perceived force acts outwardly, contrasting with the centripetal force that acts inward, towards the center, maintaining the circular path of the object.

In the context of a rotating system, as an object moves in a circle, it keeps trying to move in a straight line due to inertia, but the centripetal force pulls it inward, thus creating a sensation of being pushed outward, which is experienced as centrifugal force. This concept is significant in various applications, such as in amusement park rides or while driving in a curve, where individuals feel pressed against the outer side of the turn.

The other forces listed play different roles in mechanics: gravitational force acts vertically and does not inherently cause an object to move outward in a rotation; frictional force typically acts to oppose motion rather than cause it; and centripetal force, rather than acting outward, is the force that keeps an object in circular motion by acting toward the center.