Centrifuge Revolution Calculation

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving a centrifuge, specifically calculating the required revolutions per second based on the force acting on a red blood cell and the radius of the centrifuge. The subject area includes concepts from circular motion and dynamics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between force, mass, and velocity in circular motion, questioning how to convert velocity into revolutions per second. There is discussion about using the circumference of the centrifuge for this conversion.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with some participants providing guidance on calculating the circumference and confirming the approach to finding revolutions per second. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored, particularly regarding the relationship between linear velocity and rotational speed.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of the problem as presented, including the specific values for mass and force, and are questioning the assumptions made in their calculations.

je55ica7
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A sample of blood is placed in a centrifuge of radius 16.0 cm. The mass of a red blood cell is 3.0e-16 kg, and the magnitude of the force acting on it as it settles out of the plasma is 4.0e-11 N. At how many revolutions per second should the centrifuge be operated?

I can figure out the velocity... but the answer needs to be in revolutions per second. Would I just divide the velocity by the circumference of the centrifuge??
 
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je55ica7 said:
I can figure out the velocity... but the answer needs to be in revolutions per second. Would I just divide the velocity by the circumference of the centrifuge??
That's correct.
 
Ok, I figured out the problem using F=m(v^2/r). I got the right answer when I kept the mass in kg and solved for v. How could that be right if the answer had to be in rev/s? I don't get it...
 
Calculate the circumference and you'll get it. :wink:
 
Lol

Soooo sneaky... hehe
 

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