Uniform circular motion refers to the motion of an object moving in a circular path at a constant speed. In this type of motion, the speed of the object is constant and the direction of motion is constantly changing, as the object moves along the circumference of the circle.
Example: A common example of uniform circular motion is a satellite orbiting around the Earth. The satellite is moving in a circular path around the Earth at a constant speed, but its direction of motion is constantly changing due to the Earth’s gravitational pull.
Centripetal force is the force directed towards the centre of a circle that keeps an object in uniform circular motion.
F = mv2 / r
A ball tied to a string and being swung around in a circle experiences a force directed towards the centre of the circle, which is the tension in the string. This force is the centripetal force, responsible for keeping the ball in uniform circular motion. If the string is suddenly released, the ball would no longer experience the centripetal force, resulting in the ball moving off in a straight line tangent to the circle. Thus, the centripetal force is necessary to maintain an object in uniform circular motion and to change its direction.
Centrifugal force is a force that appears to act on an object moving in a circular path and tends to push it away from the centre of the circle.
A simple example of centrifugal force in action can be seen when driving a car around a sharp turn. As the car turns, it experiences a centripetal force towards the centre of the turn, provided by the friction between the tires and the road. This force allows the car to maintain its circular path. However, as the car turns, an equal and opposite force, the centrifugal force, acts on the car, pushing it outwards and away from the centre of the turn. If the turn is sharp enough or the speed is high enough, the centrifugal force can become strong enough to overcome the frictional force, causing the car to skid out of control.
Centrifuge appliances are used to separate heavier particles from lighter particles in liquids e.g. Sugar crystals are separated from molasses. Blood analysis is carried out through a centrifuge process in the laboratory. Cream separator is used to separate the cream from skimmed milk. An ultracentrifuge is used for separating small particles from large molecules. A centrifuge is used for separation of isotopes.
Road Banking
The outer edge or bank of the road is raised to a certain height at the curved part of roads. This provides the centripetal force against the tyres of the vehicle hence prevents skidding.
Cream Separator
The milk plants in the country are using high speed spinners to separate cream from milk. The skimmed milk is heavier whereas the cream is lighter. When the milk is spun at high speed the heavy particles are pushed towards the walls of the spinner. These particles push the lighter particles of cream to the centre where from it is collected through a tube.
Dryer
Now a day’s built-in dryer is available in most washing machines. It spins the wet clothes hence the water droplets are thrown away from the perforated walls of the dryer and clothes get dry instantly.