Centrifugal Force – Definition, Principle, Formula, Calculation, Examples

Centrifugal force is an apparent force that seems to act outward from the centre of rotation when a body moves in a circular path. It is also called a pseudo force or fictitious force because it is not produced by any real physical interaction. It is observed only in a rotating or non-inertial frame of reference.

This force is mainly due to the inertia of the moving body. Inertia is the tendency of a body to continue its motion in a straight line. When the body is forced to move in a circular path, its direction of motion changes continuously. Due to this, the body appears to be thrown outward from the centre.

For example, when a car takes a sharp turn, the passenger feels pushed towards the outer side of the car. Actually the body of the passenger wants to move in a straight line, but the car changes its direction. So from inside the car, it seems that an outward force is acting. This apparent outward force is called centrifugal force.

From the outside stationary frame, there is no real outward force. The inward force which keeps the body in circular path is called centripetal force. But from the rotating frame, the outward effect is observed as centrifugal force.

The magnitude of centrifugal force depends on the mass of the body, velocity of rotation and radius of circular path. It increases with the increase in mass and speed of the body. It is given by the following relation-

F = mv²/r

Where,
F = centrifugal force
m = mass of the body
v = velocity of the body
r = radius of circular path

Although it is called a fictitious force, its effect is used in many machines and instruments. It is used in washing machines, laboratory centrifuges, water pumps, amusement rides and metal casting machines. In centrifuge, high speed rotation produces outward effect which helps in separating substances of different densities.

Definition of Centrifugal force

Centrifugal force is an outward fictitious force experienced by objects moving in a circular path, directed away from the center of rotation.

Centrifugal force formula

Centrifugal Force Formula

The formula of centrifugal force is as follows-

Fc = mv²/r

Where,
Fc = centrifugal force.
m = mass of the rotating object.
v = tangential velocity.
r = radius of the circular path.

The formula also written as-

Fc = mω²r

Where,
ω = angular velocity.

Here, centrifugal force increases when the mass of the body increases. It also increases when the velocity increases. The velocity is squared, so change in velocity produces more change in the force.

When angular velocity is used, the force depends on mass, angular velocity and radius. The force acts apparently away from the centre of rotation. It has same value as centripetal force, but the direction is opposite.

Principle of Centrifugal force

Centrifugal force is based on inertia of the body moving in circular path. The body has tendency to continue its motion in straight line. But in circular motion, the direction of the body is changed continuously.

In this process, centripetal force acts towards the centre of rotation. This force keeps the body in circular path. But due to inertia, the body appears to move outward from the centre.

This outward acting force is not a real force. It is an apparent force. It is observed only in rotating frame of reference. So centrifugal force is also called pseudo force or fictitious force.

The effect of centrifugal force depends on mass of the body, radius of circular path and square of rotational velocity. When these factors increase, the outward effect also increases. This is referred to as the principle of centrifugal force.

How to Calculate centrifugal force? – a step by step guide

The following are the steps to calculate centrifugal force–

Step 1- Mass

Mass of the rotating body is taken first.
It is denoted by m.
Unit is kg.

Step 2- Radius

Radius of circular path is taken.
It is denoted by r.
Radius means distance from centre of rotation to the body.
Unit is m.

Step 3- Velocity

Velocity of the body is taken.
It is denoted by v.
Unit is m/s.

If angular velocity is given, it is denoted by ω.
Unit is rad/s.

If speed is given in RPM, it is converted into angular velocity.

The formula is as follows-

ω = 2π × RPM/60

Step 4- Formula used

For tangential velocity, the formula is-

Fc = mv²/r

For angular velocity, the formula is-

Fc = mω²r

Where,
Fc = centrifugal force.
m = mass.
v = tangential velocity.
r = radius.
ω = angular velocity.

Step 5- Calculation

In Fc = mv²/r, velocity is squared first.
Then multiplied with mass.
Then divided by radius.

In Fc = mω²r, angular velocity is squared first.
Then multiplied with mass.
Then multiplied with radius.

Step 6- Result

The final value is centrifugal force.
It is expressed in Newton (N).

Applications of Centrifugal force

Some of the important applications of centrifugal force are as follows-

• It is used in centrifugal pumps for moving and pressing liquids. The liquid is thrown outward by rotating impeller. It is used in water treatment plants, chemical industries, oil refineries and irrigation systems.
• It is used in centrifugal casting. In this process molten metal is poured into a rotating mould. The metal spreads uniformly due to centrifugal force and forms pipes, tubes and other cylindrical parts.
• It is used in laboratory centrifuge for separating substances. The sample is rotated at high speed. The heavier particles settle down and lighter particles remain above. It is used in blood cell separation and medical laboratory works.
• It is used in washing machine during spin cycle. The drum rotates very fast and water is forced out from wet clothes through small holes. So the clothes become dry faster.
• It is used in human centrifuge for training pilots and astronauts. The rotating machine produces high g-force. It helps them to tolerate force during aircraft turning and rocket launching.
• It is used in centrifugal governor for controlling the speed of engine. When speed increases, the rotating balls move outward. This movement helps in regulating fuel or steam supply.
• It is used in amusement park rides like Rotor and Gravitron. The ride rotates very fast and the rider feels pushed outward. Due to this, the rider remains pressed against the wall.
• It is used in vehicle motion and road design. During sharp turn, the vehicle tends to move outward. So curved roads are banked by considering this outward effect.
• It is used in explaining satellite motion around the earth. The outward centrifugal effect balances the inward pull of gravity. This helps the satellite to remain in its orbit.
• It is used in rotating space station for artificial gravity. When the station rotates, outward effect is produced. This can give gravity like effect during long space journey.

Examples of Centrifugal force

Some of the examples of centrifugal force are as follows-

1. When a car takes sharp turn, passenger feels pushed to the outer side. It is due to centrifugal force.
2. When bucket of water is rotated in vertical circle, water remains towards the bottom of bucket. Due to this the water does not fall easily.
3. In washing machine, drum rotates very fast. Wet clothes are pushed to the wall of drum. Water comes out through small holes.
4. In amusement park rides, rider feels pushed outward. In Gravitron and rotating rides, rider remains pressed against the wall.
5. In laboratory centrifuge, sample is rotated at high speed. Heavier particles move outward. Lighter particles remain nearer to the centre.
6. In industrial centrifuge, substances are separated by density. Heavy materials move outward and lighter materials remain inside.
7. In satellite motion, outward centrifugal force balances inward pull of earth gravity. So satellite remains in orbit.
8. In centrifugal clutch, rotating parts move outward when speed increases. This outward movement helps to engage the drive.
9. In centrifugal governor, rotating balls move outward with increase in speed. This movement helps to control the engine speed.
10. In centrifugal casting, molten metal is poured into rotating mould. The metal moves outward and spreads along the wall of mould. It forms cylindrical objects like pipes and tubes.

Centrifugal force vs Centripetal force

The following are the differences between centrifugal force and centripetal force–

1. Centripetal force is a real force. It is produced by real interaction like gravity, tension or friction. Centrifugal force is not a real force. It is an apparent force produced due to inertia of the body.
2. Centripetal force always acts towards the centre of circular path. It is centre seeking force. Centrifugal force acts away from the centre of circular path. It is centre fleeing force.
3. Centripetal force is observed from stationary or inertial frame of reference. Centrifugal force is observed only from rotating or non-inertial frame of reference.
4. Centripetal force keeps the body in circular path. Without this force, the body cannot move in curved path. Centrifugal force is the outward feeling of the body when it moves in rotating frame.
5. In centripetal force, the body is pulled inward continuously. In centrifugal force, the body seems to be pushed outward from the centre.
6. The example of centripetal force is gravity of earth keeping moon in orbit. Tension in string while rotating a stone is also an example. The example of centrifugal force is passenger feeling pushed outward in turning car. Water moving out from clothes in washing machine is also an example.
7. The formula of both forces is same-

F = mv²/r

Where,
F = force.
m = mass of the body.
v = velocity of the body.
r = radius of circular path.

8. The magnitude of both forces are same. But their direction is opposite. Centripetal force acts inward and centrifugal force acts outward.

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