In a centrifugal flow compressor, what happens when centrifugal force is pushed outward?

• A. It causes air to accelerate
• B. It reduces velocity
• C. It increases static pressure only
• D. It cools the air

Answer: (A)

The outward push from rotation places the air in a centrifugal field, so it accelerates outward as it is flung by the impeller blades. This outward acceleration increases the air’s velocity, giving it more kinetic energy. Later, a diffuser slows the flow and converts that kinetic energy into higher static pressure, but the immediate effect of the centrifugal force is to accelerate the air. The other options don’t match this sequence: the flow isn’t primarily slowed down here, the pressure rise comes from energy conversion downstream rather than only increasing pressure at once, and cooling isn’t a direct result of this compression process.