Centripetal and Centrifugal Force - Definition, Formula, Example, FAQs

What is the Centripetal and Centrifugal Force Formula?

Centripetal force is defined as a center directed force acting perpendicular to the direction of motion of an object moving in a circular path.
Let's understand this definition more deeply with the help of an example. Assume a boy rotating a ball tied with a string in a circular path. At every instant, the direction of the ball changes which leads to the change in velocity (as velocity, v=∆x/∆t ) and further change in acceleration (as acceleration, a=∆v/∆t ). As the ball is accelerating, there must be a force acting on it (as Force, F= ma ). Now if we cut the string, the ball will move in the direction tangential to the circular path which means that the actual direction of motion of the ball is perpendicular to the string but due to the centre directed force acting on the ball due to the string, the balls keep on rotating in the circular path.

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This Story also Contains

1. What is the Centripetal and Centrifugal Force Formula?
2. Calculating Centripetal Force
3. Example of Centripetal Force of Centripetal Force
4. What is Centrifugal Force?
5. Calculating Centrifugal Force
6. Example of Centripetal Force or Centrifugal Force examples in daily life:
7. Difference between Centripetal and Centrifugal Force:

Thus, we can say that the force acting on the ball and the actual direction of motion of the ball are at right angle to each other. This type of center directed force which is perpendicular to the direction of the motion of the object is known as Centripetal Force.

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Calculating Centripetal Force

The formula to calculate centripetal force is defined as the ratio of the product of mass (in kg) and square of the velocity of the object (in meter per second) to the radius of the circular path ( in meters) in which it is moving. As it is a force, the unit of Centripetal force is Newton (N).

F=mv²/r

where, F ?Centripetal Force

m ?Mass of the Object

v ?Velocity of the Object

r ?Radius of the Circular Path

Example of Centripetal Force of Centripetal Force

Let’s see some common examples of centripetal force, in order to understand its applications more correctly.

1. Spinning a ball tied to a string:- In this case, when the ball tied to the string rotates in a circular motion, the centripetal force is provided by the tension on the string which pulls the ball towards the center.

2. Planets revolving around the sun:- All the planets revolve around the sun due to the centripetal force provided by the gravity of the sun which pulls all the planets towards it

3. A car turning at a curve:- A travelling car, taking a turn at a curve on the road experiences the centripetal force provided by the friction between the road and the wheels of the car.

4. Merry go round:- A child riding on a merry go round experiences a centripetal force through the support which hold the child from being thrown out.

5. Electrons revolving around the nucleus:- An electron does not fall into the nucleus in spite of strong nuclear attraction is due to the centripetal force provided by the electrostatic attraction between the electron and the nucleus.

What is Centrifugal Force?

Centrifugal force is defined as a fictitious force acting away from the center of a circular path in which an object is moving.

Let's understand this definition more deeply with the help of an example. Assume a car with a passenger in it is travelling on a straight road. Suddenly, a left turn arrives and the car turns in the left direction.

Centrifugal Force

As the car is moving in a circular path the force experienced by the car is the centripetal force which is towards the center of the circular turn but the force experienced by the passenger within the car is towards the right direction which pushes him outside the car. This outward fictitious force experienced by the passenger due to inertia is known as Centrifugal Force.

Centrifugal force only comes into play when there is a centripetal force acting on an object.

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Calculating Centrifugal Force

The formula to calculate Centrifugal force is defined as the negative ratio of the product of mass (in kg) and square of the velocity of the object (in meter per second) to the radius of the circular path ( in meters) in which it is moving. As it is a force, the unit of the centrifugal force is a Newton (N).

Fc = -mv²/r

where Fc ?Centripetal Force

m ?Mass of the Object

v ?Velocity of the Object

r ?Radius of the Circular Path

The formula for centrifugal force is the same as that of centripetal force but with a negative sign as the centrifugal force is directed outward from the center.

Example of Centripetal Force or Centrifugal Force examples in daily life:

Let’s see some common examples of the centripetal force of Centrifugal force, in order to understand its applications more correctly.

1. The force experienced by a passenger travelling in a car turning at a curved path is Centrifugal force.

2. A boy rotating a ball tied through a string, the outward force exerted on his hands is centrifugal force.

3. As the centrifugal force acting on an object in the equator is greatest, the earth is flattened at the pole and bulged at the equator.

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Difference between Centripetal and Centrifugal Force:

The concept of centripetal force and centrifugal force is often confused, they are closely related to each other.. To understand them more correctly, here are some detailed differences between them.

NCERT Physics Notes :

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• NCERT Notes class 12 physics
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