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An ultracentrifuge spins a small tube in a circle of radius 10.0 cm at 6.00 x 10^4 rpm. Calculate the force exerted on an object that has a mass of 3.00 g rotating in the centrifuge.

User Hilcharge
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Final answer:

To calculate the centripetal force in a centrifuge, convert the mass to kilograms and the rotational speed to radians per second. Apply the formula Fc = m * r * ω². The centripetal force for a mass of 3.00 g rotating at 6.00 x 10⁴ rpm in a 10 cm radius centrifuge is approximately 118.435 Newtons.

Step-by-step explanation:

The subject of this question is Physics, and it is suitable for a high school level of understanding. The question is asking to calculate the centripetal force exerted on an object of mass 3.00 g, which is rotating at 6.00 x 104 rpm in a centrifuge with a radius of 10.0 cm.

First, we need to convert the mass from grams to kilograms and the rotational speed from rev/min to rev/s:

  • Mass in kilograms = 3.00 g * (1 kg / 1000 g) = 0.003 kg
  • Rotational speed in rev/s = 6.00 x 104 rpm * (1 min / 60 s) = 1000 rev/s

We then convert revolutions per second to radians per second (since 1 rev = 2π radians):

  • Angular velocity in rad/s = 1000 rev/s * (2π rad / 1 rev) = 2000π rad/s

Using the formula for centripetal force Fc = m * r * ω2, where 'm' is the mass, 'r' is the radius, and 'ω' is the angular velocity, we get:

  • Centripetal force = 0.003 kg * (0.1 m) * (2000π rad/s)2
  • Fc = 0.003 kg * 0.1 m * (4π2 * 106) rad2/s2
  • Fc ≈ 0.003 kg * 0.1 m * 39.478 x 106 rad2/s2
  • Fc = 118.435 N

Therefore, the centripetal force exerted on the object is approximately 118.435 Newtons.

User Teja Kumar Bethina
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