Uniform Circular Motion of centrifuge

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving uniform circular motion, specifically related to a centrifuge's operation. The original poster seeks assistance in determining the revolutions per minute of a sample based on its centripetal acceleration and radius from the axis of rotation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between centripetal acceleration and gravitational acceleration, with some attempting to clarify the meaning of the given acceleration ratio. There are inquiries about relevant equations and how to relate linear velocity to angular velocity.

Discussion Status

Participants have provided hints and equations relevant to centripetal acceleration and angular velocity. There is an ongoing exploration of how to connect these concepts to find the desired revolutions per minute, with no explicit consensus reached yet.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the need for additional information, such as the period of rotation, to complete the calculations. The discussion reflects a mix of interpretations regarding the problem setup and the relationships between variables.

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Hi there. I need some help with this question. Can anyone help me...

A centrifuge is a device in which a small container of material is rotated at a high speed on a circular path. Suppose the centripetal acceleration of the sample is 6.25 X 103 times as large as the acceleration due to gravity. How many revolutions per minute is the sample making, if it is located at a radius of 5.00cm from the axis of rotation?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanx
 
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Could you please show some work or thoughts?

HINT: What is the equation for centripetal acceleration?

~H
 
The equation is a = v2/r. But what do they mean when they say the centripetal acceleration is 6.25x10 3 times as large as the acceleration due to gravity?
 
a = \left( 6.25\times 10^{3} \right)g

~H
 
So then that probably means that v2/r = (6,25x10 3)g

And the circumference of the circle its rotating in is 0,314m or 31,4cm
 
But you want to find revolutions per minute, so your next step would be calculating the angular velcoity (\omega). You will need to use;

v = \omega r

~H
 
But i can get (v) also with v=(2)(pie)(r)\T
So i still need T
 
They are effectively the same thing, but you don't need to work out v;

a = \frac{v^2}{r}

v = \omega r = \frac{2\pi r}{T}

a = \frac{\omega^2 r^2}{r}

\omega^{2} = \frac{a}{r}

\frac{2\pi}{T} = \sqrt{\frac{a}{r}}

~H
 
Thanx i think I've got it.
 

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