When deciding to choose the topic of centrifuges for application, I was faced with the question, should they really be called centrifuges? As we know, there is no such thing as a centrifugal force because there is no outward force. There is a centripetal force, which points inward, and acts against the natural inertia of the object to keep going in a straight line, hence making the path a circle.
Centrifuges use circular motion to separate different objects, mostly liquids, from one another. The ones of more density go outward while the ones of less density go inward. This manipulates the centripetal force and acceleration, using it in order to keep some things moving in a circular path while others try to break free of it, pushing themselves to the side.
This may be why it seemed obvious to name the centrifuge "the centrifuge," but is it really? What's going on is that the heavier objects are undergoing a centrifugal SENSATION, that naturally pushes them outward along with its inertia. What it is not feeling is the fake centrifugal force. The lighter objects are undergoing a centripetal force that tends to keep them in motion.
In conclusion, I think that centrifuges should be renamed. Perhaps "centripuges" or "centripetages" are more appropriate, but that is not really for me to decide.
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This is a good start for your project!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you want to have that image of the centrifuge as the theme for your blog or if you just meant to add it to the posting?
Thank you, Mrs. Gende! I changed my picture to something more general to physics, inspired by my book!
ReplyDeleteGood job! Your whole page looks very good! You might want to check your spelling though. I thought your idea to rename the centrifuges was very creative!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jen, but I only found one. If you could please point out the others, that would be very helpful.
ReplyDeleteWhen you are talking of the items separating you said more mass. You should have also included density because a liquid or solid may have more mass than another substance in the formula but it could be spread out.
ReplyDeleteother than that this section is good and creative.
ReplyDeleteWhat you sayis 100% true, Kat. I changed it in accordance to your comment, thanks for the correction.
ReplyDelete