Which device is used to separate substances by spinning at high speed?

Which device is used to separate substances by spinning at high speed?

• A. Centrifuge
• B. Bottle
• C. Beaker
• D. Disposable Pipette

Answer: (A)

Separating substances by spinning at high speed relies on centrifugal force to push denser components outward and sediment them, while lighter components stay above or remain in suspension. The device that does this is a centrifuge. In a centrifuge, tubes are held in a rotor and spun rapidly, creating g-forces far greater than gravity. This causes heavier particles to form a pellet at the bottom of the tube and clearer liquid to remain above as the supernatant. This technique is essential for tasks like separating plasma from blood cells or clarifying samples before further analysis. The other items aren’t designed to produce this separation. A bottle or beaker is simply a container for holding liquids, not for spinning them to separate by density. A disposable pipette is a transfer tool used to move small volumes, not to generate the forces needed to separate mixtures.

Separating substances by spinning at high speed relies on centrifugal force to push denser components outward and sediment them, while lighter components stay above or remain in suspension. The device that does this is a centrifuge. In a centrifuge, tubes are held in a rotor and spun rapidly, creating g-forces far greater than gravity. This causes heavier particles to form a pellet at the bottom of the tube and clearer liquid to remain above as the supernatant. This technique is essential for tasks like separating plasma from blood cells or clarifying samples before further analysis.

The other items aren’t designed to produce this separation. A bottle or beaker is simply a container for holding liquids, not for spinning them to separate by density. A disposable pipette is a transfer tool used to move small volumes, not to generate the forces needed to separate mixtures.