centrífugo

Centrífugo is a Spanish adjective that translates to "centrifugal" in English. It describes anything that moves, acts, or is caused by centrifugal force. Centrifugal force is an apparent outward force that arises in a rotating frame of reference. It is not a fundamental force of nature but rather a consequence of inertia. When an object moves in a circular path, its tendency is to move in a straight line (tangential to the circle). The force that keeps it moving in a circle is called centripetal force, acting inwards. From the perspective of the rotating object, it feels an outward pull, which is attributed to centrifugal force.

In practical applications, the term centrífugo is used to describe devices and phenomena that utilize this principle. For example, a "bomba centrífuga" is a centrifugal pump, which uses a rotating impeller to impart velocity to a fluid and then convert this velocity into pressure. Similarly, a "secador centrífugo" is a centrifugal dryer, used to remove moisture from materials by spinning them at high speeds. The concept also appears in the design of centrifuges, which are laboratory or industrial devices that spin samples at high speeds to separate components of different densities. The adjective centrífugo therefore directly relates to the action of spinning or rotating to achieve separation or to move a substance.