Centrifugation
A separation technique that uses rapid rotation to generate an effective gravitational field, forcing denser components to the bottom of a tube.
Formula / equation
RCF = 1.118 × 10⁻⁵ × r × N²
Unit
g (RCF)
In depth
The relative centrifugal force depends on rotor radius and the square of the rotation speed, and can exceed 100,000 g in an ultracentrifuge. Fine suspensions and colloids that would never settle under gravity separate within minutes, making the method indispensable in biochemistry and clinical analysis.
Examples in the real world
Separating blood into plasma and packed cells, and recovering a fine precipitate too small to filter.