Uniform Circular Motion of centrifuge

AI Thread Summary
A centrifuge rotates a sample at high speed, generating centripetal acceleration. The acceleration is given as 6.25 x 10^3 times the acceleration due to gravity, leading to the equation a = v^2/r. To find the revolutions per minute, the relationship between linear velocity and angular velocity is used, specifically v = ωr. The discussion emphasizes the need to calculate the period (T) to connect angular velocity with the desired revolutions per minute. The participants conclude that they can derive the necessary values using the provided equations.
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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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