What is the force called when a body is pushed backward into its seat during acceleration?

When a body experiences acceleration, particularly in the context of an aircraft, the force that pushes the body back into its seat is known as positive Gx. This term refers specifically to the increased gravitational force experienced in the direction opposite to the acceleration vector. For example, when an aircraft accelerates forward, the force creates a sensation akin to being pressed back into the seat, which is effectively an increase in the load factor experienced by the person.

Positive Gx is quantified in terms of "G" forces, where 1 G represents the force of gravity at the Earth's surface. When an aircraft accelerates, the occupants may feel multiple G's, leading to a longer-lasting sensation of heaviness or being pushed back, which can have implications for both comfort and the physiological response of the body to increased forces.

Understanding positive Gx is crucial in aeromedical contexts as it can influence pilot performance, passenger comfort, and the physiological effects that might occur during rapid maneuvers or acceleration phases of flight. Other terms such as negative Gx refer to the sensation of being pushed upward, turbulence describes chaotic air movements that affect the flight experience, and centripetal force relates to the force required to keep an object moving in a curved path, which is not directly