Q&A for How to Use a Centrifuge

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  • Question
    What are the centrifugal and centripetal forces?
    Bess Ruff, MA
    Environmental Scientist
    Bess Ruff is a Geography PhD student at Florida State University. She received her MA in Environmental Science and Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. She has conducted survey work for marine spatial planning projects in the Caribbean and provided research support as a graduate fellow for the Sustainable Fisheries Group.
    Environmental Scientist
    Expert Answer
    In physics, a centrifugal force is one that acts outwardly on a body moving around a center. A centripetal force acts inwardly (i.e. towards the center) on a body moving around a center.
  • Question
    How do I stop my centrifuge from spinning if it is not stopping?
    Bess Ruff, MA
    Environmental Scientist
    Bess Ruff is a Geography PhD student at Florida State University. She received her MA in Environmental Science and Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. She has conducted survey work for marine spatial planning projects in the Caribbean and provided research support as a graduate fellow for the Sustainable Fisheries Group.
    Environmental Scientist
    Expert Answer
    If for some reason the power button is not working, unplug the centrifuge. The centrifuge will eventually stop spinning once its source of power is removed, even if the momentum of the centrifuge keeps it spinning for a little bit. Do not try to stop the centrifuge with your hands or any other objects. It will eventually stop so just be patient.
  • Question
    Why is a heater used in a centrifuge machine?
    Community Answer
    The heater is used to keep samples at a certain temperature, often to make it easier to mix substances together.
  • Question
    Will the imbalance or speed of a centrifuge cause a serum to turn a pink color?
    Community Answer
    The imbalance of a centrifuge would cause test tubes to break. The speed determines how quickly the product would be centrifuged, and may change the appearance/thickness of the outcome.
  • Question
    How do I balance the load if there is only one sample test tube?
    Community Answer
    The tube opposite your sample tube should be filled with water of equal mass. It's very important that the mass is the same, not the volume.
  • Question
    What kind of liquid do I use with a centrifuge?
    Community Answer
    A centrifuge can be used with nearly any unfrozen liquid, as long as the container is tightly sealed.
  • Question
    Why do I get fine crack-lines in the tube?
    Community Answer
    Sometimes when the tube is not the right size for the rotor it will vibrate inside the centrifuge, often resulting in cracks on the tube. Make sure you check the size of your tubes before using the centrifuge.
  • Question
    How much solution can I put in a 15 ml test tube?
    Community Answer
    3/4 of the volume is filled as a standard procedure. 10 to 12 ml should be sufficient.
  • Question
    How much solution can I put in a 15-milliliter test tube?
    Community Answer
    Filled to 3/4 of the volume is standard procedure, so 10 to 12 ml is sufficient.
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