Centrifuge
A centrifuge is a piece of equipment that puts an object in rotation around a fixed axis. This machine uses centrifugal force to separate suspended particles. A centrifuge rotates at a very high speed in order to separate liquids from solids. Solids are more dense and will separate to the bottom of the tube.
The rotating unit, called the rotor, has fixed holes drilled at an angle. Test tubes are placed in these slots and the motor is spun. As the centrifugal force is in the horizontal plane and the tubes are fixed at an angle, the particles have to travel only a little distance before they hit the wall and drop down to the bottom.
What is centrifugal force?
We know from Newton's first law that a body will retain its velocity unless another force acts upon it. So when a body travels in a circle, a force must be applied to stop it from traveling in a straight line.
Uses in the lab
A centrifuge is used for the separation of fluids, gas or liquid, based on density. The centrifuge can be used to purify cells, subcellular organelles, viruses, proteins, and nucleic acids.
The rotating unit, called the rotor, has fixed holes drilled at an angle. Test tubes are placed in these slots and the motor is spun. As the centrifugal force is in the horizontal plane and the tubes are fixed at an angle, the particles have to travel only a little distance before they hit the wall and drop down to the bottom.
What is centrifugal force?
We know from Newton's first law that a body will retain its velocity unless another force acts upon it. So when a body travels in a circle, a force must be applied to stop it from traveling in a straight line.
Uses in the lab
A centrifuge is used for the separation of fluids, gas or liquid, based on density. The centrifuge can be used to purify cells, subcellular organelles, viruses, proteins, and nucleic acids.
What is centrifugal force?
We know from Newton's first law that a body will retain its velocity unless another force acts upon it. So when a body travels in a circle, a force must be applied to stop it from traveling in a straight line.
Uses in the lab
A centrifuge is used for the separation of fluids, gas or liquid, based on density. The centrifuge can be used to purify cells, subcellular organelles, viruses, proteins, and nucleic acids.