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A centrifuge is described as a device that separates specimens of different densities. What property of the spinning motion makes this separation fast?
AA high centripetal acceleration
BA low angular velocity
CA large radius by itself
DA constant linear velocity
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. A high centripetal acceleration
1. A centrifuge spins samples to separate specimens of different densities.
2. A high centripetal acceleration significantly decreases the time it takes for that separation to occur, which is why ultracentrifuges can reach hundreds of thousands of g.
3. A low angular velocity would give a small centripetal acceleration at a given radius, slowing separation rather than speeding it up.
4. A large radius by itself, without a large angular velocity, or a constant linear velocity along the rim do not by themselves guarantee the high centripetal acceleration that drives fast separation.
_Source: OpenStax College Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 6 "Uniform Circular Motion and Gravitation", section 6.2 Centripetal Acceleration_
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