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centrifugal force

centrifugal force

4 4.8
A push felt outward on an object that moves in a circle
  • noun
  • /ˌsɛntrɪˈfjuːɡəl fɔrs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : fuerza centrífuga
  • The tube rotated steadily, generating about half a unit of centrifugal force, enabling them to walk while keeping their baggage light.
  • centrifugal force and gravity

So as you turn pull on the stick, it's just that centrifugal force is pulling you down into your seat.

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Examples

  • As the car turned sharply, the passengers felt the centrifugal force pushing them against the doors.

  • Its speed is determined by balancing centrifugal force and gravity.

    Academic text (2005)
  • So when it wants to go around the corner, the centrifugal force makes this go slightly outside.

  • So as you turn pull on the stick, it's just that centrifugal force is pulling you down into your seat.

  • And you go there and it's on a space station that has, you know, centrifugal force because of the rotation.

  • Please allow me to demonstrate the law of centrifugal force.

  • At some point, the centrifugal force due to the rotational motion can balance gravity.

    Academic text (1999)
  • As you move closer to the equator, the centrifugal force increases, and so the net gravity decreases.

    Academic text (1996)
  • Watch as they defy gravity and centrifugal force at 3Gs.

  • The rotor enclosure was designed of high-strength steel to counteract the strong centrifugal forces generated by the high rotational speeds.

    Academic text (1995)

Antonyms

A force that pulls a moving object toward the center of its circular path

Surface Forms

Morphology

centrifugal + force

The meaning 'an outward-acting force' is directly built from 'centrifugal' (moving away from a central point) + 'force' (a power that makes objects move), so the MWE's sense is compositionally predictable. Although it is a technical physics term, the parts combine transparently and equivalent constructions exist in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Centrifugal force comes from a simple image: when you spin a bucket of water, the water presses against the bucket and seems to be pushed outward. So centrifugal means moving away from the center and force means 'a push', which explains the 'push' you feel outward when something moves in a circle.