What determines the G force in a centrifuge?

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Multiple Choice

What determines the G force in a centrifuge?

The G force produced by a centrifuge is set by how fast the rotor is spinning and how far the sample sits from the center. In other words, the acceleration depends on the radius (distance from the axis) and the rotational speed. Using the standard relation, relative centrifugal force (RCF) ≈ 1.118 × 10^-5 × r × (RPM)^2, where r is the rotor radius in centimeters and RPM is the revolutions per minute. This shows the dependence clearly: increasing the radius or increasing the RPM increases the G force. For example, doubling the RPM increases the G force by a factor of four, and increasing the radius at the same RPM increases the G force linearly. Rotor temperature, sample volume, or rotor color do not determine the G force themselves; they may affect other operational aspects like temperature control or loading, but not the actual centrifugal acceleration.

The G force produced by a centrifuge is set by how fast the rotor is spinning and how far the sample sits from the center. In other words, the acceleration depends on the radius (distance from the axis) and the rotational speed.

Using the standard relation, relative centrifugal force (RCF) ≈ 1.118 × 10^-5 × r × (RPM)^2, where r is the rotor radius in centimeters and RPM is the revolutions per minute. This shows the dependence clearly: increasing the radius or increasing the RPM increases the G force. For example, doubling the RPM increases the G force by a factor of four, and increasing the radius at the same RPM increases the G force linearly.

Rotor temperature, sample volume, or rotor color do not determine the G force themselves; they may affect other operational aspects like temperature control or loading, but not the actual centrifugal acceleration.

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