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Are whirlpools caused by the centripetal force vectors, which point toward the center? In other words, are force vectors that point toward the centipetal force a direct result of whirlpools?
Question Date: 2009-12-16
Answer 1:

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Whirlpools are caused by the conservation of angular momentum, which is similar to why centripetal force exists, however, in the case of the whirlpool, the inward force (the normal force redirected from gravity) is strong enough that the material (normally water) continues moving inward, and, in colliding with other material outside of the whirlpool and thus distributes its angular momentum outside, thereby allowing it to continue spiraling in.



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