Centrifugal Force in Angular SHM: Explained

In summary, when considering centrifugal force in a general situation of angular SHM, it is important to take into account the displacement and amplitude of the motion. For small angular amplitudes, the centrifugal force can be neglected in the free body diagram, but for larger displacements, it must be considered as it affects the tension in the string and the overall motion of the bob.
  • #1
Jon Drake
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Does centrifugal force (mv^2/r) act in any position of angular SHM? Please explain.
 
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  • #2
Jon Drake said:
Does centrifugal force (mv^2/r) act in any position of angular SHM? Please explain.

You might need to explain your question! Can you give a bit more detail of the scenario you are asking about?
 
  • #3
Suppose that a bob is suspended by a light string, and the position of the bob is somewhere between its mean and extreme position. Then it does have a velocity and it moves in a circular arc, so (mv^2/r) should act outward. At the same time in angular SHM we take very small angular amplitude, where the object moves almost in a straight path. In that case there is no centrifugal force. So, in a general situation, should we consider the centrifugal force in the free body diagram or not?
 
  • #4
Jon Drake said:
Suppose that a bob is suspended by a light string, and the position of the bob is somewhere between its mean and extreme position. Then it does have a velocity and it moves in a circular arc, so (mv^2/r) should act outward. At the same time in angular SHM we take very small angular amplitude, where the object moves almost in a straight path. In that case there is no centrifugal force. So, in a general situation, should we consider the centrifugal force in the free body diagram or not?

There are only two forces: gravity and the tension in the string. The tension cancels out the force of gravity along the line of the string and provides the centripetal force. Gravity acts tangential to the motion.
 
  • #5
Jon Drake said:
So, in a general situation, should we consider the centrifugal force in the free body diagram or not?
The force of the string on the bob is centripetal and that is the tension. For a big displacement, the tension will increase noticeably. Remember the g forces on fairground rides? You are 'pulling 3g' at the bottom of a rigid swing that starts off vertical. However, the SHM approximation only applies to small displacements because it is only then that the restoring force is (near enough) proportional to the displacement (which is the definition of SHM).
 

1. What is centrifugal force in angular SHM?

Centrifugal force in angular SHM refers to the outward force experienced by an object in circular motion, caused by the object's inertia and the centripetal force acting on it.

2. How does centrifugal force affect angular SHM?

In angular SHM, centrifugal force causes the object to move away from the center of rotation during the outward part of the motion, and towards the center during the inward part of the motion.

3. What is the difference between centrifugal force and centripetal force?

Centrifugal force is the outward force experienced by an object in circular motion, while centripetal force is the inward force that keeps the object moving in a circular path.

4. How is centrifugal force calculated in angular SHM?

Centrifugal force in angular SHM can be calculated using the equation Fc = mrω², where Fc is the centrifugal force, m is the mass of the object, r is the distance from the center of rotation, and ω is the angular velocity.

5. Can centrifugal force be greater than centripetal force?

No, centrifugal force cannot be greater than centripetal force as they are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction. In order for an object to maintain circular motion, the centripetal force must be greater than or equal to the centrifugal force.

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