Centrifugal force equation

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Centrifugal force equation
Centrifugal force equation | Image: Learnool

The centrifugal force equation, Fc = (m × v2) ÷ r, calculates the outward force experienced by an object moving in a curved path. In this equation, Fc represents the centrifugal force, m is the mass of the object, v denotes the velocity of the object, and r signifies the radius of the curved path.

Practice problems

Problem #1

Determine the centrifugal force acting on a scooter weighing 80 kg as it moves in a circular path with a radius of 16 m and a velocity of 2 m/s.

Solution

Given data:

  • Centrifugal force acting on a scooter, Fc = ?
  • Mass of a scooter, m = 80 kg
  • Radius of a circular path, r = 16 m
  • Velocity of a scooter, v = 2 m/s

Applying the formula:

  • Fc = (m × v2) ÷ r
  • Fc = [80 × (2)2] ÷ 16
  • Fc = 320 ÷ 16
  • Fc = 20 N

Therefore, the centrifugal force acting on a scooter is 20 N.

Problem #2

Calculate the centrifugal force acting on a bike weighing 150 kg, which moves with a velocity of 1 km/h in a circular path of radius 5 m.

Solution

Given data:

  • Centrifugal force acting on a bike, Fc = ?
  • Mass of a bike, m = 150 kg
  • Velocity of a bike, v = 1 km/h = 0.27 m/s
  • Radius of a circular path, r = 5 m

Applying the formula:

  • Fc = (m × v2) ÷ r
  • Fc = [150 × (0.27)2] ÷ 5
  • Fc = 10.935 ÷ 5
  • Fc = 2.18 N

Therefore, the centrifugal force acting on a bike is 2.18 N.

Problem #3

Find the centrifugal force acting on a girl weighing 24 kg who is enjoying a carousel ride. The girl sits on a carousel rotating in a circular path with a radius of 8 m and a velocity of 1 m/s.

Solution

Given data:

  • Centrifugal force acting on a girl, Fc = ?
  • Mass of a girl, m = 24 kg
  • Radius of a circular path, r = 8 m
  • Velocity of a girl, v = 1 m/s

Applying the formula:

  • Fc = (m × v2) ÷ r
  • Fc = [24 × (1)2] ÷ 8
  • Fc = 24 ÷ 8
  • Fc = 3 N

Therefore, the centrifugal force acting on a girl is 3 N.

Problem #4

Determine the centrifugal force acting on a bus weighing 700 kg as it moves in a circular path with a velocity of 0.8 km/h. The radius of the circular path is 8 m.

Solution

Given data:

  • Centrifugal force acting on a bus, Fc = ?
  • Mass of a bus, m = 700 kg
  • Velocity of a bus, v = 0.8 km/h = 0.22 m/s
  • Radius of a circular path, r = 8 m

Applying the formula:

  • Fc = (m × v2) ÷ r
  • Fc = [700 × (0.22)2] ÷ 8
  • Fc = 33.88 ÷ 8
  • Fc = 4.23 N

Therefore, the centrifugal force acting on a bus is 4.23 N.

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External links

Deep

Learnool.com was founded by Deep Rana, who is a mechanical engineer by profession and a blogger by passion. He has a good conceptual knowledge on different educational topics and he provides the same on this website. He loves to learn something new everyday and believes that the best utilization of free time is developing a new skill.

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