What is the principle behind the process of centrifugation?a)Particles...
The centrifugation depends upon the size, shape, and density of the particles. It also depends on the viscosity of the medium and the speed of rotation. The theory is that the lighter particles stay at the top when spun rapidly, the denser particles are forced to the bottom.
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What is the principle behind the process of centrifugation?a)Particles...
The principle behind the process of centrifugation is that denser particles are forced to the bottom and lighter particles stay at the top when spun rapidly. This principle is based on the concept of centrifugal force.
**Centrifugal force:**
- When an object rotates around a fixed axis, it experiences an outward force called centrifugal force.
- This force is directed away from the axis of rotation and is proportional to the mass of the object and the square of its velocity.
**Centrifugation process:**
1. A centrifuge is a machine used for centrifugation, which spins samples at high speeds.
2. The sample to be separated is placed in tubes or containers and loaded into the centrifuge.
3. When the centrifuge is turned on, it starts rotating rapidly, creating a centrifugal force.
4. As the centrifuge spins, the denser particles in the sample experience a greater centrifugal force and are pushed towards the bottom of the tube or container.
5. At the same time, the lighter particles experience a lesser centrifugal force and stay towards the top.
6. After sufficient spinning time, the centrifuge is stopped, and the separated particles can be collected from different levels of the tube or container.
**Separation based on density:**
- Centrifugation is widely used to separate mixtures based on the differences in density of the particles.
- Denser particles, such as cells, organelles, or debris, have a higher density and are pushed towards the bottom during centrifugation.
- Lighter particles, such as supernatant fluids or smaller particles, have a lower density and stay towards the top.
- By adjusting the speed and duration of centrifugation, it is possible to achieve efficient separation of different components in a mixture.
**Applications:**
- Centrifugation is extensively used in various fields, including biology, chemistry, and medicine.
- It is used to separate blood components, isolate DNA or RNA, separate organelles, purify proteins, and separate mixtures of particles of different sizes and densities.
- Different types of centrifuges, such as microcentrifuges, ultracentrifuges, and preparative centrifuges, are available for specific applications.
In conclusion, the principle behind centrifugation is that when a sample is spun rapidly, denser particles are forced to the bottom and lighter particles stay at the top due to the centrifugal force generated. This principle is utilized to separate mixtures based on differences in density.
What is the principle behind the process of centrifugation?a)Particles...
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