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Dear Readers, Welcome to the latest issue of The Magazine
As far as the lab and industrial processes are concerned, centrifuges are essential in separating the components of a mixture in accordance with their densities. But, what exactly works the purpose of a centrifuge, centripetal force, centrifugal force or both?
Centripetal force is defined as the net force which acts in accordance with curvature of the circular motion. This word comes from the Latin word “centrum” (center) and “petal” (seeking). It is directed towards the center or axis of rotation. In the absence of this, objects would not have been able to traverse in a curve and would have rather traveled in a straight line. In the case of a centrifuge, the rotor and the motor are the structures that generate the centripetal force toward the rotating items to keep them moving about a particular axis.
Nevertheless, centrifugal force is usually regarded as a ‘fictitious’ force or an apparent force. It is linked to the inertia of a body that moves around an axis and it is directed away from the axis of rotation. In a rotating reference frame, this outward directed force, while not entirely a true force in classical context, is felt. This is the force that users of centrifuges and laboratory technicians are inclined to notice as minute particles or liquids flow to corners of the rotor.
A centrifuge works by rapid rotation of a sample. The centripetal force produced by the rotor is directed towards the center of the sample rotating in a circle. At the same time there is a centrifugal force which acts on the particles or components in the sample to the sides, and the particles in the sample are originally suspended and now will settle according to their density. As an example, the bottom of the centrifuge tube gets the denser particles, and the light particles float near the outermost surface.
With this sort of separation, the plasma can be separated from the blood or even the blood cells are free from plasma, and in other processes the liquid can be purified without any problems.
The principles of centripetal and centrifugal forces are inexorable to various fields including:
Although both centripetal and centrifugal forces are involved, the form of centrifugal force – which is provided by the rotor – is the force that restricts the motion. It is, however, a centrifugal force that is exerted due to the rotation and which is the main reason for the separation feature of centrifuges.
These forces as described are not only behind the operation of a centrifuge but also define the importance and the place of the device in several industries. So when you see a centrifuge next time, you will know how neutral the forces are acting on your mix design while it is spinning.
