Centripetal force is the force that tries to pull an object to the center in a circular motion. We encounter centripetal force in our daily lives, but not very frequently like gravitational force or frictional force. This force is encountered only during circular motion. It enables us to continue in the circular path without being pushed off the path due to inertia. Examples would include any situation where we turn, or swing any object, or move in orbits around a center. Here in this article, we discuss the 10 common examples of centripetal force.
Examples of centripetal force
- Driving around a circular path
- Banked turn of an aircraft
- Children’s swing
- Merry-go-round or carousel
- Revolution of planets around the Sun
- Washing machine dryer
- Liquid mirror telescope
- Loops in a roller coaster
- Shot-put and hammer throw
- Revolution of electrons around the nucleus
1. Driving around a circular path
Whenever we turn we are entering a circular path. In a circular path, there is a continuous acceleration as the direction is changing continuously. The inertia of the vehicle will make it drift off the turn, but the centripetal force along with the friction will help the vehicle to turn.
Banking of roads is done to assist the turn in some tight turns at high speeds. The road is inclined at an angle called the angle of banking to assist the vehicle in turning at high speeds. The frictional force along with the component of normal force provides the needed centripetal force to balance the centrifugal force.
2. Banked turn of an aircraft
When an aircraft makes a turn, its wings are at an angle towards the direction of the turn. This is a banked position to cause the centripetal force which will pull the aircraft in the direction of the turn. In aircraft, there is no friction or normal force, so the centripetal force is provided by the component of lift acting on the aircraft. To come back to a straight path, the aircraft will level its wings back to normal position.
3. Children’s swing
The entire swing can be considered as being part of a big circle. The child is able to move across a segment of the circle due to the centripetal force and does not fall off the circle. The centripetal force is provided by the tension force of the rope. The moment the child lets go of the swing he/she falls down due to the centrifugal force that pushes the child off the circular motion.
4. Merry go round or carousel
Bernhard Renner from Pixabay
In a merry-go-round, a child is moving in a disk. The child is in a state of rest but moves relatively due to the circular motion of the disk/wheel. The centripetal force provided by the support is able to hold the child from being thrown out.
5. Revolution of planets around the sun
Planets and other celestial bodies move at high speeds. But, still, they move in specified orbits in a controlled manner. How is it possible? The gravitational force acting between them is able to cause them to move in strict orbits. The gravitational pull of the sun is able to guide the Earth in a specified orbit. It is due to the centripetal force provided by gravity that the Earth does not go out of its orbit around the Sun. The same is true for other planets and satellites. The satellites like the moon since they are closer to the planet they revolve around the planet in specified orbits.
6. washing machines dryer
Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay
This is the most common example of centripetal force in our homes. The motor in a washing machine rotates the drum at high speeds which keeps the clothes moving at high speeds within the confined area. This will ensure a better cleaning action on the clothes. In a dry cycle, this will ensure faster drying of the clothes. The clothes are not thrown out randomly due to the centripetal force.
7. liquid mirror telescope
Telescopes use a combination of mirrors and lenses with various curvatures. A liquid mirror telescope uses a liquid such as mercury as a mirror. The liquid is rotated at high speeds such that due to centripetal force the liquid forms a parabolic-shaped mirror.
8. Loops in a roller coaster
Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay
The roller coaster is able to make such sharp turns due to the assistance of the centripetal force that tries to keep it within the curve along the track. The turn is generally not in a perfect circle shape, they are shaped like a teardrop to ensure maximum centripetal acceleration at the turns.
9. Shotput and hammer throw
Image by skeeze from Pixabay
In a game of shotput or hammer throw, a person has to throw an object to the maximum distance. To ensure a good speed the athlete creates a centripetal force provided by the tension in the rope(in case of hammer throw) or by hand(in case of a shot put) and then releases the object out of the circular motion in a specific direction.
10. Revolution of electrons around a nucleus
In an atom, electrons revolve around the protons in fixed orbitals. They don’t crash into the nucleus due to the centripetal force provided by the electrostatic attraction between the electron and the nucleus.
This centripetal force is used in many-particle accelerators that accelerate charged particles to move in loops with the help of strong magnetic fields.
Why tornados are formed in a bottle?
The tornados formed in the bottle are an example of centripetal force. As we twist the bottle, the centripetal force tries to pull the water towards the center, but since it is moving fast the water forms a swirling tornado.
See Also
Banking of roads
Examples of centrifugal force
Centrifugal force
Differences between centripetal and centrifugal forces
Centripetal force
