Is it true that where centrifugal force is in action, centripetal force is also existing. Can someone explain this through examples such as a centrifuge or centrifugal pump?
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1It is just a standard misconception that you can find anywhere. There are many duplicates, here is one: https://physics.stackexchange.com/q/86345/ – Mauricio Mar 26 '18 at 22:21
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1I deleted some comments that were either inappropriate or unnecessary. – David Z Mar 26 '18 at 22:36
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Related: http://physics.stackexchange.com/q/8891/2451 and links therein. – Qmechanic Mar 27 '18 at 02:30
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ObXKCD: https://xkcd.com/123/ – PM 2Ring Mar 28 '18 at 09:40
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The centripetal force is a real force that changes the direction of an object's motion (e.g. to make it perform circular orbits). An example of a centripetal force is the force of gravity between the Sun and the planets that make the planets orbit the Sun.
The centrifugal force is a virtual force that appears if one makes a coordinate transformation from an inertial reference frame to a rotating reference frame. It is simply a manifestation of inertia in a non-inertial reference frame (e.g. the "feeling" of being "pushed out" when you make a turn in your car).
Whether you are dealing with centripetal force or centrifugal force depends on your reference frame. If you are working in an inertial reference frame, then you are dealing with a centripetal force that changes the direction of motion of the object you are examining. If you are in the rotating frame of the object, then you are dealing with a centrifugal force as a manifestation of inertia in a reference frame which is not inertial.
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