# Centrifugal Force: Are these equal?

1. Feb 16, 2008

Good Evening to all,

I have been working on the following problem for the past several days and have finally come to the end of my rope. I hate to admit defeat but I do need some help. I'm almost certain I'm simply missing something thats embarassingly simple....

This is the problem exactly as it appears on the page:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Centrifugal force is given by the following equation:

F = m $$\omega$$^2 r

Where F = Centrifugal force
m = mass
$$\omega$$ = angular velocity

A student told me the other day that centrifugal force on a mass m kg, rotating at an angular velocity of $$\omega$$ rpm and at a radius of r feet, is given by the following equation:

F = 3.342 x 10^-3 m $$\omega$$^2 r [Newtons]

Are both equations correct? Explain?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I know that this means I need to take the F equation, break it down into its base SI units and build it back up taking the meters to feet and seconds to minutes conversion into consideration.
I know that the conversion for meters to feet is 3.28084. What am I missing?

Last edited: Feb 16, 2008
2. Feb 16, 2008

Sorry I'd thought I'd manage to find where I was going wrong but apparently not ...

Last edited: Feb 16, 2008
3. Feb 16, 2008