Centrifugal Force

Centrifugal Force

Centrifugal force is one of the most imfortant forces on earth. From glaxies to atoms many systems have such a concept, which is, in physically, not real but supposed to be present for the objects that turn around a center. From the basic concept of Newton’s equilibrium condition: if an object turn around a circle with a linear speed of V, the centrifugal force is given;

F= mV2/r  where, m and r are the mass of object and the radius of circle, respectively.

See and Learn ( Kiosk):

Students will be seeing the real world examples of Centrifugal force on the screen. There are going to be both video and animations. The video is just to show the example and animation is to explain the steps and how things happens. For example, we can make Centrifugal Force visual with a small ball and a piece of rope. If we fasten the ball at the end of the rope and make it turn around the center ( which can be our hand), it will follow a circle path around our hand. Because of the kinetic energy that the rotating ball has, there will be tensile force (T) on the rope that keeps the ball on the circle. Physically, there must be another force that does not allow the ball goes to the center. From the Newtons’ equation, if the ball keeps follow the same circle, this force must be equal to the T. This force, as it given above, dependent on the speed of object, high speed means that high centrifugal force. It is easy to see that if the ball is turned around the circle there will be a bigger T on the rope. In order to see centrifugal force, we can cut the rope or relinquish it after let it turn by holding the empty side/point. It will go away from its path toward the outside of circle, a kind of exclusion. This movement is result of centrifugal force.

In nature, there are many different source of centrifugal forces. For example, our earth turns around the sun  more than 1000km per hour. To keep our world on its path, the force must be equal to the mass attraction force between the sun and earth. This force can also be equal to the frictional force for the cars while going on bend. If you enter the curve faster, probably, your car will be driven away. That is why the engineers built the curves with a small slope to reduce the centrifugal force.

See and Do:

After students see the real world examples videos such as cars, earth and ball and rope examples. He will have the materials where he can design the same environment and learn it by doing. For example, There will be a rope and ball and a student can make the same experiment by herself and see the result and explain it. After a student make the experiment, s/he can share it on the application.