Question

An ultracentrifuge spins biological samples at very high speeds in order to separate their constituent microscopic components. One such instrument spins at 120,000 rpm, and the samples experience a centripetal acceleration of 6.6×10^6 m/s^2. What is the radius of the circle around which the samples travel?

Answer 1

Answer:

4.2 cm

Explanation:

f = 120,000 rpm = 120,000 / 60 = 2000 rps

a = 6.6 x 10^6 m/s^2

a = rw^2

6.6 x 10^6 = r x (2 x 3.14 x 2000)^2

r = 0.042 m = 4.2 cm