Natural scrolling on a trackpad refers to the movement of content on the screen in response to the physical input from the user’s fingers on the trackpad. It is designed to mimic the way we interact with physical objects in the real world.
When you push up on a trackpad with natural scrolling enabled, the content on the screen moves up. This is similar to the intuitive action of sliding a piece of paper forward on a desk with your fingers. When you place a piece of paper on your desk and push up (forward) on it with two fingers, the paper would also move up (forward) on the desk.
The concept of natural scrolling is based on the idea that when we interact with physical objects, we typically push them in the direction we want them to move. For example, when we push a book on a table away from us, the book moves away. This intuitive behavior is translated into the digital realm with natural scrolling on trackpads.
It is worth noting that natural scrolling can be a bit counterintuitive for those who are accustomed to traditional scrolling, where pushing up on a trackpad moves the content on the screen down. However, many operating systems and devices now default to natural scrolling as it is believed to provide a more natural and intuitive user experience.
Some people find natural scrolling more comfortable and easier to adapt to, while others may prefer the traditional scrolling direction. The preference for scrolling direction can vary from person to person, and it ultimately comes down to personal preference and familiarity.
With natural scrolling enabled on a trackpad, pushing up on it will move the content on the screen up, just like pushing a piece of paper forward on a desk with your fingers. It aims to replicate the intuitive interaction we have with physical objects in the real world.