2006-08-27 04:05:58 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
One is real, one is imaginary and does not exist.
There is no such thing as "centrifugal" force.
Centripetal force is the force present in circular motion.
Centripetal force is always pointed inward, towards the center of rotation. A centripetal force causes a centripetal acceleration. Any acceleration causes a change in velocity. Since the centripetal force is always pointed inward, radially along the circular path, it is always pointed perpendicularly to the velocity vector (which is always tangent to the circle), which makes it possible to have a constantly changing velocity with a constant speed.
There is no "other half" of centripetal force, there is no balancing force necessary....actually if there were a balancing / opposing force, that would prevent circular motion from happening.
In order for there to circular motion there MUST be an acceleration...there is no question about that, the velocity is constant changing, therefore there is an acceleration.
From Newton's 2nd law, in order for there to be an acceleration, there MUST be a NET force acting on the object, the key word here is net. If there is a force which balances / counter acts centripetal force, there would be no NET force. So now we realize that there must be a force...but what direction?
Look at how the velocity changes....it is always changing towards the center, thus the force must be pulling it toward the center....centripetal force.
2006-08-27 04:16:18 · answer #1 · answered by mrjeffy321 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Put simply, centrifugal is the mistaken idea that a mass forced to travel in a circle (weight on a string etc) would if released, travel directly away from the centre of the circle but it is not true as the mass would travel in a straight line in the direction it was moving, from the point it was released (a tangent to the edge of the circle) and that's centripetal
A drawing would make it so much easier!!
2006-08-27 11:30:15 · answer #2 · answered by xpatgary 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
centripetal means inward from the outer point of rotation. centrifugal means out from the center point of rotation. (Circle)
A centrifuge works by spinning a vessel containing the material to be separated at high speed. It is very much like the rides at the fairground that rotate. You have to lean towards the center to overcome the force caused by the rotation. In fact, some rides are designed specifically to press your body against a back support. The centrifuge spins at very high speeds and pushes the 'heavy phase', usually the solids, to the outside of the vessel, just as you would see in the clear flask standing on the bench top.
Any motion in a curved path represents accelerated motion, and requires a force directed toward the center of curvature of the path. This force is called the centripetal force which means "center seeking" force.
2006-08-27 11:12:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Centripetal ('center seeking') force is the force which causes something to move in a curve. It acts at right angles to the objects direction of motion. Centrifugal force is the 'other half' of the 'force pair' that Newtons laws of motion requires. It is the 'apparent' force which tries to push things towards the 'outside' of a circle when something is moving in a circle. You can't have one without the other.
Doug
2006-08-27 11:12:52 · answer #4 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
force towards the centre is centripetal and away from centre is centrifugal. If both balance each-other, the body revolves in a circular.
2006-08-27 11:14:54 · answer #5 · answered by Its my Duty 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
centrifugal force is when you go fast around a corner in a red ferrari and you feel the pressure pushing you to the outside.
centripetal force is the force that isn't there.
2006-08-27 11:13:12 · answer #6 · answered by boardbiker 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
centripetal means towards the centre while centrifugal means tending to go away from the centre
2006-08-27 11:25:07 · answer #7 · answered by ifureadthisur2close 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Find out how a Centrifugal Separator works, for use with Marine fuels/lub oils etc. This will answer your question better.
Cintrifugal throws larger particles out to the oter periphery, petal is opposite
2006-08-30 07:43:20 · answer #8 · answered by Will M 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Centrifugal - the engergy is directed to the centre of an imaginary circle.
Centripetal - the enger is directed away from the centre of an imaginary cirecle.
2006-08-27 11:09:02 · answer #9 · answered by Eyedoc 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
when you spin in a circle,
centripetal pull you towards the center
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centripetal_force
centrifugal pull you towards the outside of the circle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centrifugal_force
2006-08-27 11:17:42 · answer #10 · answered by Mr. Takafushi 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋