One centrifuge has twice the diameter of a second one, and half its number of revolutions per minute. Particles in suspension in the two centrifuges will feel the same centripetal acceleration.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Centripetal acceleration in a centrifuge is given by the formula $a = \omega^2 r$, where $\omega$ is the angular velocity in radians per second and $r$ is the radius. If one centrifuge has twice the diameter (and thus twice the radius) but half the number of revolutions per minute (which means half the angular velocity), the centripetal acceleration will not be the same because the decrease in angular velocity ($\omega$) is not enough to offset the increase in radius ($r$) when squared in the formula.

One Centrifuge Has Twice the Diameter of a Second One