Centrifugal Force: Explaining Equations

In summary, centrifugal force is a force that appears to act on a rotating object, pulling it away from the center of rotation. It is related to centripetal force, which is the force that keeps an object moving in a circular path. These forces are opposite in direction and do not cancel each other out because they act on different bodies in different frames of reference.
  • #1
net_nubie
15
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Centrifugal force?

Hi people,
Can someone explain to me what is centrifugal force? Please tell me the equations related to it. I have tried by best to calculate it, but I have drawn a blank.
 
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  • #2
Centripetal and Centrifugal forces are action-reaction forces, In ground frame , only centripetal force exists , and in the frame of ball at the end of rope rotating in a plane, you will feel the centrifugal force.Now Centripetal and centrifugal are opposite in direction and they don't cancel each other simply because they act on different bodies in two different frames.

http://forums.cjb.net/doxlab-post-2.html

BJ
 
  • #3


Centrifugal force is a fictitious force that appears to act on objects that are moving in a curved path, away from the center of rotation. This force is often misunderstood as a real force, but it is actually a result of the inertia of an object trying to maintain its straight-line motion. In other words, it is the tendency of an object to continue moving in a straight line, even when it is being forced to move in a curve.

The equation for centrifugal force is Fc = mv^2/r, where Fc is the centrifugal force, m is the mass of the object, v is its velocity, and r is the radius of the curved path. This equation shows that the magnitude of the centrifugal force increases with the mass and velocity of the object, and decreases with the radius of the curve. This means that a heavier object or one moving at a higher speed will experience a greater centrifugal force, while a smaller radius of curvature will result in a stronger centrifugal force.

Another equation related to centrifugal force is the centripetal force, which is the force that keeps an object in its curved path. The equation for centripetal force is Fc = mv^2/r, where Fc is the centripetal force, m is the mass of the object, v is its velocity, and r is the radius of the curved path. This equation shows that the centripetal force is equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to the centrifugal force, keeping the object in its curved path.

It is important to note that centrifugal force is not a real force, but rather a result of the object's inertia. This means that it is not considered in the laws of motion, but is often used in engineering and physics calculations to understand the motion of objects in circular or curved paths. I hope this helps to clarify the concept of centrifugal force and its related equations.
 

What is centrifugal force?

Centrifugal force is the apparent outward force that appears to act on an object moving in a circular path. It is not a real force, but rather an effect caused by an object's inertia.

What is the equation for centrifugal force?

The equation for centrifugal force is Fc = m * v^2 / r, where Fc is the centrifugal force, m is the mass of the object, v is its velocity, and r is the radius of the circular path.

How does centrifugal force differ from centripetal force?

Centripetal force is the real force that acts towards the center of a circular path, keeping an object in its circular motion. Centrifugal force is the apparent outward force that appears to act on the object in the opposite direction of the centripetal force.

Can centrifugal force be greater than centripetal force?

No, centrifugal force can never be greater than centripetal force. The two forces always act in opposite directions and have the same magnitude, but they are not equal since they are different types of forces.

How does centrifugal force affect objects on a rotating platform?

Centrifugal force causes objects on a rotating platform to feel as if they are being pushed away from the center of rotation. This is why people on a spinning carnival ride feel like they are being pushed against the outer wall of the ride.

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