BI-WEEKLY COMMENTS ON SI

Comment 8

SPINNING BODIES AND CENTRIFUGAL FORCES

8.1 Measuring rotational speed

Spinning bodies and centrifugal forces are closely related, and both are associated with
the speed of rotation. The Wildi SI Chart on ⊗ ANGULAR VELOCITY indicates that
the corresponding SI derived unit is the radian per second. The chart also shows that the
revolution per second (r/s), revolution per minute (r/min), and so forth, can be used along
with the SI. Note that the symbol for revolution is “r”, not “rev”.

Suppose a body is rotating at 25 radians per second. According to the Wildi SI Chart, this
corresponds to 25 × 9.549 30 = 238.73 revolutions per minute, a speed that is easier to
comprehend. In general, the speed of rotating bodies such as engines, motors and turbines
is expressed in revolutions per unit of time.

8.2 The radian = 1, and consequences

We recall from Comment 7 (section 7,2) that a radian has a value of 1 (arc/radius = 1).
Consequently, from a purely mathematical standpoint, a speed of 25 rad/s can also be
expressed simply as 25/s. However, describing an angular speed as 25 per second lacks
clarity, and so the unit “radian” must be specified. However, as we shall see, the unit
“radian” (and its symbol “rad”) must be dropped in some cases, otherwise things can
become very confusing.

8.3 Peripheral speed of a rotating body

Consider a body having a mass of 0.45 kg that is revolving around a fixed point O at a
speed of 70 r/min (Fig. 8-1). The body is attached to point O by means of a string having
a length of 1.2 m. We assume the body is so far away from any planet or star that
gravitational forces in the vicinity of the body are absolutely negligible.

The first question of interest is the peripheral speed v of the revolving body. It is given
by the equation:

http://www.wildi-theo.com Copyright © 2005 Sperika Enterprises Ltd

All rights reserved

SI comment 8.doc
 v= ωR (8-1)

where

v = peripheral speed of the body [m/s]

ω = speed of rotation, or angular velocity [rad/s]

R = radius of rotation [m]

According to this equation, and knowing that 1 revolution = 2π radians, the value of ω is:

ω = 2 π × 70 r/min = 439.8 rad/min

which is equal to 439.8 rad/min = (439.8/60) rad/s = 7.33 rad/s

The peripheral speed v is therefore v = ω R = 7.33 rad/s × 1.2 m = 8.8 rad·m/s

The unit “rad·m/s” is confusing because the peripheral speed is strictly measured in
meters per second. In this case, knowing that rad = 1, we are justified in dropping the
“rad” and expressing the peripheral speed as simply 8.8 m/s.

http://www.wildi-theo.com Copyright © 2005 Sperika Enterprises Ltd

All rights reserved
SI comment 8.doc
Referring briefly to the Wildi SI Chart on ⊗ SPEED, we find that 8.8 m/s corresponds to
8.8 × 3.6 = 31.68 km/h. Compared to automobile speeds, this peripheral speed is very
moderate indeed.

8.4 Formula for centrifugal force

The string attached to the revolving body remains tight because of the centrifugal force
that acts on the body. The centrifugal force tends to make the body move outwards from
its center of rotation O. The value of this force is given by the following equation:

F = mω2 R (8-2)

where

F = centrifugal force [newtons]

m = mass of rotating body [kg]

ω = angular velocity [rad/s]

R = radius of rotation [m]

Reader please note: symbols of physical quantities such as the symbols for fo rce F, mass
m, angular velocity ω, radius R, etc., are written in italics. This is a universally
recognized rule.

8.5 Calculating the centrifugal force

Using equation (8-2) we can calculate the centrifugal force acting on the rotating body,
which, in turn, is equal to the tension in the string.

F = mω2 R = 0.45 kg × (7.33 rad/s)2 × 1.2 m = 29.0 (kg·m/s2 ) rad2

We recall that “newton” is the special name for kg·m/s2 . As a result, the force F is
29.0 N.rad2 . However, the force F can only be expressed in newtons. Consequently, we
can again drop the unit “rad2 ” because we know that “rad” = 1. Thus, as the body rotates,
the centrifugal force (and the pull on the string) is 29.0 N.

8.6 Comparing the centrifugal force to the force of gravity

We can assess the relative magnitude of the force acting on a body by comparing it to the

http://www.wildi-theo.com Copyright © 2005 Sperika Enterprises Ltd

All rights reserved

SI comment 8.doc
force of gravity that acts on the body on the surface of the Earth. Thus, knowing that the
standardized acceleration due to gravity a = 9.80665 m/s2 , a mass of 0.45 kg on the
surface of the Earth is subjected to a force of gravity given by

F = ma = 0.45 kg × 9.80665 m/s2 = 4.41 N.

Hence, if the 0.45 kg body were suspended by a string near the surface of the Earth, the
tension in the string would amount to 4.41 N. Thus, the centrifugal force acting on the
revolving body is 29.0/4.41 = 6.6 times greater than that due to the force of gravity,
Pretty impressive for a mass that is only turning at 70 r/min! Imagine the tremendous
centrifugal force that would result if the angular velocity were raised, say, ten times, to
700 r/min! The ten- fold increase in angular velocity would produce a hundred- fold
increase in the centrifugal force. The force would rise to 29.0 × 100 = 2900 N because it
is proportional to the square of the angular ve locity. Even a steel wire (in place of the
string) would surely break under the terrific 2900 N pull.

8.5 Just for fun – try this SI quiz

1) The diameter of the Earth is about 12 700 km and it makes 1 revolution per day.
Calculate:

a) The angular velocity at the equator, in radians per second

b) The peripheral velocity at the equator, in meters per second

c) The peripheral velocity at the equator in kilometers per hour

2) Using the information found in (1) calculate the centrifugal force acting on a person
weighing 80 kg, located at the equator.

The solutions to this SI quiz are given below. But don’t look until you’ve tried to discover
the answers by yourself.

⊗ SOLUTIONS

THAT’S ALL FOR NOW FOLKS! SEE YOU IN TWO WEEKS !

http://www.wildi-theo.com Copyright © 2005 Sperika Enterprises Ltd

SI comment 8.doc