Centri-what Force?
Centrifugal force is a force that causes an object moving in a circular path to move out and away from the center of its path. It is a force behind many mechanical marvels. For example, the children sitting in a merry-go-round experience an outward pull as the ride rotates. This is due to centrifugal force. Here’s a simple experiment you can try out to help understand this concept better.
Things you’ll need:
Step 1:
Measure and mark 3 cm on either side of the straw centre. Using scissors cut a small slit along the marking in the straw.
Step 2:
Pierce the wooden stick through the centre of the straw. Along the slit, bend the straw into a “V” shape. Tape the ends of the straw to the stick.
Step 3:
Place the stick in the bowl as shown below. Ensure the taped ends of the straw are immersed in water.
Step 4:
Hold the top of the stick between your palms. Churn the stick back and forth.
Step 5:
When an object moves in a circular motion, anything on the object experiences an outward push force called the centrifugal force.
When we spin the straw, the water inside the straw experiences a centrifugal force. This force makes the water in the straw to be pushed outwards. The water rises up the straw and squirts out as a fun spray.
Day to Day Science:
Pumps are mechanical devices. They are commonly used to pump fluids. An interesting type of pump is the centrifugal pump. In this a rotating fan produces a centrifugal force that helps to pump water out.
