Difference between Centrifugal Force and Centripetal Force (original) (raw)
Last Updated : 22 Jan, 2026
Centrifugal force and centripetal force are two important forces associated with circular motion.
- Centripetal force pulls objects towards the center of a circle, keeping them in orbit.
- Centrifugal force appears to push objects away from the center due to their rotation.
Centripetal vs Centrifugal Force
Here are the differences between these two forces:
| **Centripetal Force | **Centrifugal Force |
|---|---|
| The force that acts on an object moving in a circular path is directed towards the center of the circle, keeping the object on its path. | An apparent force that seems to act outward on a body moving in a circle, observed from a rotating frame of reference. |
| Always directed towards the center of the circle. | Always directed away from the center of the circle. |
| Real force caused by gravitational pull, tension, or other forces. | Fictitious or pseudo force observed in a rotating reference frame; it does not exist in an inertial frame. |
| Keeps the object moving along the circular path by providing the necessary centripetal acceleration. | No actual role in real dynamics; it is a felt force that does not act on the object in an inertial frame. |
| Gravitational force acts as a centripetal force for orbiting planets, and friction between the car tires and the road in a roundabout. | The feeling of being pushed outward when turning quickly in a car, or the mud flying off a spinning tire. |
| Observed from an inertial frame of reference. | Observed from a non-inertial frame of reference. |
Centrifugal Force
Centrifugal force is a force that acts on an object when it is in a circular motion. It is a pseudo force that seems to act outwardly on a mass moving in a circular path. This force has the same magnitude as a centripetal force but in the opposite direction.
The formula for centrifugal force is,
F=\frac{mv^2}{r} = mr\omega^2
where
- _m is the mass of the object,
- _v is its velocity, and
- _ω is the angular velocity,
- _r is the radius of the circular path.
Facts about Centripetal Force
1. Centrifugal force is considered fictitious because it results from the rotation of the observer's frame of reference, not from any physical interaction or external force.
2 . This force seems to push objects outward from the center of rotation. For example, when you take a sharp turn in a car, you feel pushed against the door.
3. Despite being fictitious, centrifugal force has practical implications, such as in designing roads and amusement rides to counteract these forces.
Centripetal Force
Centripetal force is the force that keeps an object moving in a circular path. It acts towards the center of the circle, pulling the object inward. When an item moves at a constant speed around a circular path, it encounters an accelerating centripetal force towards the centre.
The centripetal force, _F _c_ can be calculated using the formula,
F_c=\frac{mv^2}{r} = mr\omega^2
where:
- _m is the mass of the object,
- _v is its velocity, and
- _ω is the angular velocity,
- _r is the radius of the circular path.
Facts about Centripetal Force
1. Centripetal force always points towards the center of the circle around which the object is moving.
2. Without centripetal force, objects would move in straight lines due to inertia, rather than following the curved paths observed in circular motion.
3. Common examples are :
- Tension in a rope or string holding a tetherball,
- Gravitational force keeps planets in orbit around the Sun
- Friction between car tires and the road during a turn.