Centrifugal Force
Centrifugal Force
Centrifugal Force
uk 1
EDEXCEL NATIONAL CERTIFICATE/DIPLOMA
FURTHER MECHANICAL PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATIONS
UNIT 11 - NQF LEVEL 3
OUTCOME 3 - ROTATING SYSTEMS
TUTORIAL 3 - CENTRIFUGAL FORCE
CONTENT
Be able to determine the characteristics of rotating systems
Rotating systems with uniform angular acceleration: systems e.g. simple (such as rotating rim,
flywheel, motor armature, pump or turbine rotor), complex (such as systems where combined
linear and angular acceleration is present, hoist and vehicle on an inclined track); kinetic
parameters e.g. angular displacement, angular velocity, angular acceleration, equations for
uniform angular motion
2
=
1
+ t, =
1
t + t
2
,
2
2
=
1
2
+ 2, = (
1
+
2
)t; dynamic
parameters e.g. radius of gyration, moment of inertia (I = mk
2
), inertia torque (T = I), friction
torque, application of DAlemberts principle, mechanical work (W = T), power (Average
Power = W/t, Instantaneous Power = T), rotational kinetic energy (KE = I
2
), application of
principle of conservation of energy.
Rotating systems with uniform centripetal acceleration: systems e.g. simple (such as
concentrated mass rotating in a horizontal or vertical plane, vehicle on a hump-backed bridge,
aircraft performing a loop), complex (such as centrifugal clutch, vehicle on a curved track);
kinetic parameters e.g. expressions for centripetal acceleration (a =
2
r, a =v
2
/r); dynamic
parameters e.g. expressions for centripetal force (F
c
= m
2
r, F
c
= mv
2
/r)
It is assumed that the student has studied Mechanical Principles and Applications Unit 6.
Some of this work involves knowledge of friction which appears not to be covered in any unit
on this course so the student would be advised to study it by searching on
www.freestudy.co.uk
1. CENTRIPETAL AFFECTS
1.1 ACCELERATION AND FORCE
Centripetal acceleration occurs with all rotating bodies. Consider a point P rotating about a centre O
with constant angular velocity (fig. 1).
Figure 1
The radius is the length of the line O-P. The tangential velocity of P is v = R. This velocity is
constant in magnitude but is continually changing direction.
t
v
taken time
y in velocit change
a = =
Lets remind ourselves of the definition of acceleration.
Velocity is a vector quantity and a change in direction alone is sufficient to produce a change. It
follows that a point travelling in a circle is continuously changing its direction, velocity and hence
has acceleration.
Next lets remind ourselves of Newtons second Law of Motion which in its simplest form states
Force = Mass x acceleration.
It follows that anything with mass travelling in a circle must require a force to produce the
acceleration just described.
The force required to make a body travel in a circular path is called CENTRIPETAL FORCE and
it always pulls towards the centre of rotation. You can easily demonstrate this for yourself by
whirling a small mass around on a piece of string.
Lets remind ourselves of Newtons Third Law. Every force has an equal and opposite reaction.
The opposite and equal force of centripetal is the
CENTRIFUGAL FORCE.
The string is in tension and this means it pulls in both
directions. The force pulling the ball towards the middle
is the centripetal force and the force pulling on your
finger is the centrifugal force.
The derivation of the formula for centripetal force and
acceleration is done by considering the velocity as a
vector.
D.J.Dunn www.freestudy.co.uk 2
Figure 2
Consider the velocity vector before and after point P has revolved a small angle .
The magnitude of v
1
and v
2
are equal so lets denote it simply as
v. The direction changes over a small period of time t by
radians. We may deduce the change by using the vector addition
rule.
The first vector + the change = Final vector.
Figure 3
The rule is v
1
+ v = v
2
. This is illustrated.
Figure 4
v is almost the length of an arc of radius v. If the angle is small, this becomes truer.
The length of an arc is radius x angle so it follows that v = v
This change takes place in a corresponding small time t so the rate of change of velocity is
t
v
t
v
=
In the limit as t dt, v/t
dt
dv
t
v
dt, t
dt
dv
is the acceleration. v
dt
d v
dt
dv
a = = = angle of change of rate
dt
d
= =
Since v = R then substitute for v and a =
2
R and this is the centripetal acceleration.
Centripetal acceleration =
2
R
Since = v/R then substitute for and a = v
2
/R
Centripetal acceleration = v
2
/R
If we examine the vector diagram, we see that as becomes smaller and smaller, so the direction
of v becomes radial and inwards. The acceleration is in the direction of the change in velocity and
so centripetal acceleration is radial and inwards.
If point P has a mass M, then the force required to accelerate this mass radial inwards is found from
Newton's 2
nd
Law.
Centripetal force = M
2
R
or in terms of velocity v
Centripetal force = M v
2
/R
Centrifugal force is the reaction force and acts radial outwards.
D.J.Dunn www.freestudy.co.uk 3
WORKED EXAMPLE No.1
Calculate the centripetal acceleration and force acting on an aeroplane of mass 1500 kg turning
on a circle 400 m radius at a velocity of 300 m/s.
SOLUTION
Centripetal acceleration = v
2
/R = 300
2
/400 = 225 m/s
2
.
Centripetal force = mass x acceleration = 1500 x 225 = 337.5 kN
WORKED EXAMPLE No.2
Calculate the centripetal force acting on a small mass of 0.5 kg rotating at 1500 rev/minute on a
radius of 300 mm.
SOLUTION
= 2N/60 = 2 x x 1500/60 = 157 rad/s
Cent. acc. =
2
R = (157)
2
x 0.3 = 7395 m/s
2
.
Cent. force = Mass x acc. = 0.5 x 7395 = 3697 N
WORKED EXAMPLE No.3
A centrifugal clutch is shown in the diagram. The clutch must transmit a torque of 18 Nm at a
speed of 142 rev/min. The coefficient of friction between the drum and the friction lining is
0.3. The radius to the centre of gravity of each sliding head is 0.21 m and the inside radius of
the drum is 0.25 m. Calculate the required mass of the sliding heads.
Figure No.5
D.J.Dunn www.freestudy.co.uk 4
SOLUTION
Torque = 18 Nm, radius = 0.25 m T = Friction force x radius
Friction force = 18/0.25 = 72 N This is divided between two friction pads so each must produce
72/2 = 36 N each.
From the law of friction, Friction force = x normal force
Normal force = 36/0.3 = 120 N
The normal force acts in a radial direction and must be equal to the centripetal force.
Centripetal force = M
2
r
Equating forces we have M
2
r = 120
Speed = 142 rev/min or 142/60 rev/s
Radius to centre of gravity = 0.21 m
Angular velocity = 2 x speed = 2 x 142/60 = 14.87 rad/s
M x 14.87
2
x 0.21 =120
M = 120/( 14.87
2
x 0.21) = 2.58 kg for each sliding head.
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE No.1
1. A centrifugal clutch is similar to that shown in figure 5. The clutch must transmit a torque of 25
Nm. The coefficient of friction between the drum and the friction lining is 0.4. Each sliding
head has a mass of 0.4 kg acting at a radius of 0.15 m. The inside radius of the drum is 0.18 m.
Calculate the minimum speed required.
(Answer 53.78 rad/s or 513.7 rev/min)
2. A rotating arm has a sliding mass of 2 kg that normally rests in the position shown with the
spring uncompressed. The mass is flung outwards as it revolves. Calculate the stiffness of the
spring such that the mass compresses it by 20 mm when the arm revolves at 500 rev/min.
(Answer 38.4 N/mm)
Figure 6
D.J.Dunn www.freestudy.co.uk 5
2. APPLICATION TO VEHICLES
2.1 HORIZONTAL SURFACE
D.J.Dunn www.freestudy.co.uk 6
When a vehicle travels around a bend, it is subject to
centrifugal force. This force always acts in a radial
direction. If the bend is in a horizontal plane then the
force always acts horizontally through the centre of
gravity. The weight of the vehicle is a force that always
acts vertically down through the centre of gravity. The
diagram shows these two forces.
Figure 7
The centrifugal force tends to make the vehicle
slide outwards. This is opposed by friction on
the wheels. If the wheels were about to slide,
the friction force would be W where is the
coefficient of friction between the wheel and
the road.
Figure 8
The tendency would be for the vehicle to
overturn. If we consider the turning moments
involved, we may solve the velocity which makes
it overturn. If the vehicle mass is M its weight is
Mg. The radius of the bend is R.
Figure 9
Consider the turning moments about point O
The moment of force due to the weight is W x d or M g d
The moment due to the centrifugal force is C.F. x h
Remember the formula for centrifugal force is C.F. = (Mv
2
/R)
The moment due to the centrifugal force is C.F. x h = (Mv
2
/R) x h
When the vehicle is about to overturn the moments are equal and opposite.
Equating the moments about point O we get M = (Mv
2
/R) x h = Mg d
Rearrange to make v the subject. v = (g d R/h)
If the vehicle was about to slide sideways without overturning then the centrifugal force would be
equal and opposite to the friction force. In this case
W = Mv
2
/R
Mg = Mv
2
/R
v = (gR)
Comparing the two equations it is apparent that it skids if <d/h and overturn if >d/h
WORKED EXAMPLE No. 4
A wheeled vehicle travels around a circular track of radius 50 m. The wheels are 2 m apart
(sideways) and the centre of gravity is 0.8 m above the ground. The coefficient of friction is 0.4.
Determine whether it overturns or slides sideways and determine the velocity at which it occurs
SOLUTION
Overturning
v = (g d R/h)
= (9.81 x 1 x 50/0.8)
= 24.76 m/s
Sliding sideways
v = (gR)
= 14 m/s
It follows that it will slide sideways when the velocity reaches 14 m/s.
2.2 BANKED SURFACE
The road surface is flat and inclined at degrees to the
horizontal but the bend is still in the horizontal plane. The
analysis of the problem is helped if we consider the vehicle
simply as block on an inclined plane as shown.
The C.F. still acts horizontally and the weight vertically. The
essential distances required for moments about point O are
the vertical and horizontal distances from O and these are h'
and d' as shown.
Figure 10
When the vehicle is just on the point of overturning the
moments about the corner are equal and opposite as before.
By applying trigonometry to the problem you should be
able to show that
h' = (h d tan) cos
d' = (h tan + d) cos
Figure 11
Equating moments about the corner we have Mv
2
h' /R = Mg d'
v
2
h' = (h d tan) cos /R = g (h tan + d) cos
Make v the subject.
+
=
tan
h
d
1
tan
h
d
gR v
2
D.J.Dunn www.freestudy.co.uk 7
This is the velocity at which the vehicle overturns. If the vehicle slides without overturning, then
the total force parallel to the road surface must be equal to the friction force. Remember the friction
force is N where N is the total force acting normal to the road surface. Resolve all forces parallel
and perpendicular to the road.
The parallel forces are F cos and
W sin as shown. The normal
forces are F sin and W cos as
shown. The friction force
opposing sliding is N
Figure 12
The forces acting parallel to the surface must be equal and opposite when sliding is about to occur.
Balancing all three forces we have N + Wsin = F cos
The total normal force N is the sum of the two normal forces. N = Wcos + F sin
Substituting
{ }
{ }
{ }
{ }
{ } tan 1
tan
Rg v
tan tan 1
Rg
v
tan 1 tan
Rg
v
Rg
v
tan tan
Rg
v
cos
R
v
gsin sin
R
v
gcos
cos
R
v
M Mgsin sin
R
v
M Mgcos
Fcos Wsin Fsin Wcos
Fcos Wsin Fsin Wcos
2
2
2
2 2
2 2
2 2
+
=
+ =
=
= + +
= + +
= + +
= + +
= + +
This gives the velocity at which the vehicle slides.
D.J.Dunn www.freestudy.co.uk 8
WORKED EXAMPLE No. 5
A motor vehicle travels around a banked circular track of radius 80 m. The track is banked at
15
o
to the horizontal. The coefficient of friction between the wheels and the road is 0.5. The
wheel base is 2.4 m wide and the centre of gravity is 0.5 m from the surface measured normal to
it. Determine the speed at which it overturns or skids.
SOLUTION
1. OVERTURNING
( )
( )
+
=
+
=
15 tan
5 . 0
2 . 1
1
15 tan
5 . 0
2 . 1
80 81 . 9
tan 1
tan
2
X
h
d
h
d
gR v
Hence v = 76.6 m/s
2. SKIDDING
{ }
{ }
{ }
{ } 15 tan 5 . 0 1
15 tan 5 . 0
81 . 9 80
tan 1
tan
2
+
=
+
= x x Rg v
Hence v = 26.3 m/s
The vehicle will skid before it overturns.
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE No. 2
1. A motor vehicle travels around a banked circular track of radius 110 m. The track is banked at
8
o
to the horizontal. The coefficient of friction between the wheels and the road is 0.4. The
wheel base is 3 m wide and the centre of gravity is 0.6 m from the surface measured normal to
it. Determine the speed at which it overturns or skids.
( 66.3 m and 24.9 m )
2. A vehicle has a wheel base of 2.1 m and the centre of gravity is 1.1 m from the bottom.
Calculate the radius of the smallest bend it can negotiate at 120 km/h. The coefficient of friction
between the wheels and the track is 0.3.
(For skidding R = 377.5 m and for overturning R = 118.7 m hence the answer is 377.5 m)
2. Repeat question 3 given that the bend is banked at 10
o
.
(For skidding R = 225.2 m and for overturning R = 83.3 m hence the answer is 225.2 m)
D.J.Dunn www.freestudy.co.uk 9