Centrifugal vs. Centripetal — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 2, 2023
Centrifugal force pushes objects away from the center, while centripetal force pulls them towards the center of rotation.
Difference Between Centrifugal and Centripetal
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Centrifugal force is perceived as an outward force on a body moving in a circular path; it appears to push the object away from the center. Centripetal force, in reality, is the actual force acting on an object moving in a circular path, pulling it towards the center.
Centrifugal force is often described in a rotating reference frame; it's not an actual force but a result of inertia. Centripetal force, on the other hand, is the required real force that keeps an object moving in a curved path.
In the case of a car turning in a circle, the centrifugal force is the sensation the passengers feel as they're pushed outward. The centripetal force is the frictional force between the car tires and the road that keeps the car turning along the curve.
A centrifuge operates on the principle of centrifugal force, separating substances of different densities. A string tied to a ball being swung in a circle provides the centripetal force, keeping the ball in a circular trajectory.
In a centrifugal pump, fluid moves outward from the center due to the perceived force. In a gravitational field, the gravity provides the centripetal force that keeps planets in orbit around a star.
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Comparison Chart
Direction of Force
Outward from the center of rotation
Toward the center of rotation
Nature of Force
Fictitious or reactive force
Real force acting on an object
Example in Daily Life
Clothes being pushed out in a dryer
Tension in a rope during tetherball
In a Vehicle
Feeling of being pushed out on a turn
Friction that keeps the vehicle turning
Physics Representation
Not a fundamental force, arises in rotating frames
Fundamental force described in Newtonian mechanics
Compare with Definitions
Centrifugal
Related to the apparent force in a rotating system.
Riders experience centrifugal force on a merry-go-round.
Centripetal
Acting towards the center of rotation.
The centripetal force is necessary for keeping a car on its curved path.
Centrifugal
Moving or tending to move away from a center.
The centrifugal motion of the satellite simulated gravity.
Centripetal
Related to the force that pulls an object toward the path's center.
Gravity acts as a centripetal force for Earth's orbit around the sun.
Centrifugal
A force that acts outwardly on a rotating body.
The centrifugal force is what keeps water inside a bucket spun overhead.
Centripetal
Pertaining to seeking the center.
The tension in the string provides the centripetal force for the pendulum.
Centrifugal
Acting outward from the center of rotation.
The centrifugal force flung the mud off the spinning tire.
Centripetal
Moving or tending to move towards a center.
Centripetal acceleration is felt by a pilot turning in a tight circle.
Centrifugal
Pertaining to escaping from the center.
The centrifugal pump moves water by pushing it radially outward.
Centripetal
Moving or tending to move towards a centre.
Centrifugal
Moving or tending to move away from a centre.
Centripetal
Moving or directed toward a center or axis.
Centrifugal
Moving or directed away from a center or axis.
Centripetal
Operated by means of centripetal force.
Centrifugal
Operated by means of centrifugal force.
Centripetal
(Physiology) Transmitting nerve impulses toward the central nervous system; afferent.
Centrifugal
(Physiology) Transmitting nerve impulses away from the central nervous system; efferent.
Centripetal
(Botany) Developing or progressing inward toward the center or axis, as in the head of a sunflower, in which the oldest flowers are near the edge and the youngest flowers are in the center.
Centrifugal
(Botany) Developing or progressing outward from a center or axis, as in a flower cluster in which the oldest flowers are in the center and the youngest flowers are near the edge.
Centripetal
Tending or directed toward centralization
The centripetal effects of a homogeneous population.
Centrifugal
Tending or directed away from centralization, as of authority
"In a feverish explosion of centrifugal nationalism, one after another of the empire's ethnic groups proclaimed independence" (Adam Hochschild).
Centripetal
Directed or moving towards a centre.
Centrifugal
Tending, or causing, to recede from the center.
Centripetal
Of, relating to, or operated by centripetal force.
Centrifugal
(botany) Expanding first at the summit, and later at the base, as a flower cluster.
Centripetal
Directed towards the central nervous system; afferent.
Centrifugal
(botany) Having the radicle turned toward the sides of the fruit, as some embryos.
Centripetal
Tending, or causing, to approach the center.
Centrifugal
A rotating machine used to separate massecuite into sugar crystals and molasses.
Centripetal
Expanding first at the base of the inflorescence, and proceeding in order towards the summit.
Centrifugal
Tending, or causing, to recede from the center.
Centripetal
Progressing by changes from the exterior of a thing toward its center; as, the centripetal calcification of a bone.
Centrifugal
Expanding first at the summit, and later at the base, as a flower cluster.
Centripetal
Tending to move toward a center;
Centripetal force
Centrifugal
A centrifugal machine.
Centripetal
Tending to unify
Centrifugal
Tending to move away from a center;
Centrifugal force
Centripetal
Of a nerve fiber or impulse originating outside and passing toward the central nervous system;
Sensory neurons
Centrifugal
Tending away from centralization, as of authority;
The division of Europe into warring blocs produces ever-increasing centrifugal stress
Centripetal
A force that keeps a body on a curved path.
The centripetal force is demonstrated by a stone whirling on a string.
Centrifugal
Conveying information to the muscles from the CNS;
Motor nerves
Common Curiosities
What is an example of centripetal force in everyday life?
One common example is the force you feel pulling you inward when you take a tight turn in a vehicle.
Is centrifugal force a real force?
Centrifugal force is not a real force; it's the sensation of inertia in a rotating frame.
What exactly is centrifugal force?
Centrifugal force is the apparent force that seems to push an object or material outward from the center of rotation.
Can we feel centrifugal force?
Yes, when in a rotating reference frame, like a car turning, we feel it as a force pushing us outward.
How does centripetal force work?
Centripetal force acts on an object moving in a circular path and pulls it towards the center of the circle.
How does centripetal force affect driving?
Centripetal force, provided by friction, keeps a car on its path when driving around a curve.
Is gravity a type of centripetal force?
Yes, gravity can act as a centripetal force, as seen in planetary orbits.
What role does centrifugal force play in a centrifuge?
Centrifugal force is the effective force that moves materials outward in a centrifuge, aiding in separation.
Can centripetal force ever be zero?
No, for an object in circular motion, centripetal force cannot be zero; otherwise, the object would not move in a curve.
Why don't we feel centripetal force directly?
We don't feel centripetal force because it's not acting on us externally; it's just the net force causing a circular motion.
What happens if centrifugal force is greater than centripetal force?
If this apparent force were to exceed the centripetal force, an object would move outward, potentially leaving the circular path.
What is the relationship between centripetal force and velocity?
Centripetal force is directly proportional to the square of the velocity of an object moving in a circular path.
How do you calculate centrifugal force?
Centrifugal force is calculated based on the mass, radius, and angular velocity of the rotating system but is not a force used in Newtonian mechanics.
Can we use centrifugal force to generate energy?
The concept of centrifugal force itself does not generate energy, but rotating systems can convert mechanical energy into other forms.
Does centrifugal force affect astronauts in space?
Astronauts in a rotating space station experience a centrifugal effect that simulates gravity.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
