Question

The RPM in centrifuge stands for __________.

• A. Repulsion per minute
• B. Rotation per minute
• C. Rate per minute
• D. Revolution per minute

Answer 1

Answer:

D. Revolution per minute

• Definition: The acronym RPM stands for Revolutions Per Minute.
• Functionality in Centrifugation: It is a standard unit used to measure the rotational speed of a centrifuge rotor. It indicates how many complete turns the rotor makes in one minute.
• Relationship to Centrifugal Force: While RPM measures speed, the actual separation efficiency in a centrifuge is determined by Relative Centrifugal Force (RCF), often measured in g-force.
• Calculation Context: Laboratory professionals often need to convert RPM to RCF using the formula: RCF = 1.118 × 10⁻⁵ × r × (RPM)², where r represents the radius of the rotor in centimeters.
• Significance: Accurate monitoring of RPM is crucial in medical and scientific laboratories to ensure proper separation of blood components (like plasma and serum), DNA extraction, and the preparation of chemical samples.
• Usage in competitive exams: In the context of physics or general science sections for competitive examinations, questions about units of measurement like RPM are frequently tested to assess basic understanding of rotational motion and laboratory instrumentation terminology.