laboratory centrifuge
A centrifuge is a motor-driven device used in laboratories for the purposes of
separating the components of immiscible liquids. A typical device has a rotor with angled drilled holes to hold
sample tubes. As the centrifuge spins at a high rate, it generates centrifugal acceleration, this acceleration pulls down denser substances at a greater rate than lighter (less dense) substances.
The size of the tube and the maximum speed of a centrifuge varies from rotor to
rotor; however, a typical device could speed up to 70,000 rpm and tube sizes up
to about 60 ml. For example, separating the blood components. Blood samples are
placed in sample tubes. Blood is composed of different substances including
cells, proteins and water. It is separated by density with heavier substances
at the bottom of the tube and lighter substances are displaced to the top of
the tube, such as red blood cells, which are the heaviest particles in blood, so
red blood cells settle to the bottom of the
tube, while low density substances like plasma rise to the top of the tube.
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