- #1
kthayes
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Maybe misspelled, i know. What is the difference between the two?? Please explain.
What is the difference between centrifugal and centripetal forces?
- Thread starter kthayes
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In summary, the conversation discusses the difference between centripetal and centrifugal forces. Centripetal force is exerted towards the center while centrifugal force is exerted away from the center. Centripetal force opposes centrifugal force and is responsible for keeping objects in a circular motion. Centrifugal force is a fictitious force that only exists in a rotating frame of reference, while centripetal force is a real force that occurs in both rotating and non-rotating frames.
- #2
nasu
Homework Helper
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Centripetal - towards the center
Centrifugal - away from the center
Centrifugal - away from the center
- #3
Vespa71
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Centrifugal force is exerted from clothes, towards the drum, in a spin cycle. It works away from center, when the water and clothes are pressed towards an outer constraint. Fugal is latin for escaping, and the former conseption was to think that a force was pushing the object away from center. Centrifugal force is, however, not a force until the object presses on to something. Until then it is an imaginary force.
Centripetal force is the force opposing centrifugal force, inwards. Petere means "tend towards". The spin cycle drum would be exerting centripetal force on the clothes. The water escapes through the holes, so allthough some centripetal/centrifugal force is given to water as well (or else the clothes would dry instantly/completely), the lack of centripetal- and the equal sentrifugal force is what allows water to escape. Escaping water continues straight forward (like a car not turning), while clothes keep on turning.
Hope this helps, somehow.
Centripetal force is the force opposing centrifugal force, inwards. Petere means "tend towards". The spin cycle drum would be exerting centripetal force on the clothes. The water escapes through the holes, so allthough some centripetal/centrifugal force is given to water as well (or else the clothes would dry instantly/completely), the lack of centripetal- and the equal sentrifugal force is what allows water to escape. Escaping water continues straight forward (like a car not turning), while clothes keep on turning.
Hope this helps, somehow.
- #4
kthayes
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so, basically the "third law" thing, right? if i have centrifugal motion, equal and op. is centripital?
- #5
Vespa71
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kthayes said:
Yes, but 1st, as much
- #6
kthayes
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Thanx Vespa...'71...nice lookin vespa
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Khashishi
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Centrifugal force only exists in a rotating frame of reference. This is the force that flings matter outward from the rotation center. It's called a fictitious force because it only exists due to a certain choice of coordinates. Note, there's no "equal and opposite force" to the centrifugal force. The force is coming out of space itself. An object being flung out from the center can't "feel" the centrifugal force unless there's something in the way. If it is stuck against a wall, the force it actually feels pushing against the wall is centripetal force.
Centripetal force is a regular force in that it must occur with a matching opposite force. This force exists no matter if you are in a rotating or non-rotating frame. For example, a rock attached to a string that is swinging around--the string pulls on the rock inward, and the rock pulls on the string outward. This is a real force and an actual interaction between two pieces of material.
Centripetal force is a regular force in that it must occur with a matching opposite force. This force exists no matter if you are in a rotating or non-rotating frame. For example, a rock attached to a string that is swinging around--the string pulls on the rock inward, and the rock pulls on the string outward. This is a real force and an actual interaction between two pieces of material.
FAQ: What is the difference between centrifugal and centripetal forces?
What is the difference between centrifugal and centripetal force?
Centrifugal force is the outward force that an object experiences when it is rotating around a central point. Centripetal force, on the other hand, is the inward force that keeps an object moving in a circular path.
Which force is responsible for keeping a satellite in orbit around a planet?
Centripetal force is responsible for keeping a satellite in orbit around a planet. The planet's gravity acts as the centripetal force that keeps the satellite moving in a circular path around the planet.
How are centrifugal and centripetal force related to each other?
Centrifugal and centripetal force are two sides of the same coin. Centrifugal force is the result of centripetal force acting in the opposite direction. In other words, centripetal force is the cause and centrifugal force is the effect.
When is centrifugal force greater than centripetal force?
In a rotating system, centrifugal force is greater than centripetal force at the outer edge of the rotation. This is because the farther an object is from the center of rotation, the greater the centrifugal force acting on it.
Can centrifugal and centripetal force cancel each other out?
No, centrifugal and centripetal force cannot cancel each other out. They are two different forces acting in opposite directions. In fact, they work together to keep an object in a uniform circular motion.