How to Calculate G Forces in Centrifuge
- 1). Determine the angular velocity if neither the linear velocity or angular velocity is given. The angular velocity can be determined simply from the period of the circular path's motion (the time it takes to move in one complete circle). If the period is a time "t," then the angular velocity "w" is 2 * pi / t. For example, a centrifuge with a 0.1s period has angular velocity 2 * pi / 0.1 = 20pi radians/second.
- 2). Square the linear velocity and divide by the circle's radius to determine the centripetal (directed towards the circle's origin) acceleration. If a an object with velocity 5m/s is in a centrifuge with a 0.1m radius, its acceleration is (5m/s)^2 / 0.1m = 250m/s^2.
- 3). Square the angular velocity and multiply by the circle's radius to determine the centripetal acceleration. Skip this step if you were able to determine the acceleration using linear velocity in Step 2. For example, if an object has angular velocity 50radians/s in a centrifuge with a 0.1m radius, its acceleration is (50rad/s)^2 * 0.1m = 250m/s^2.
- 4). Divide the acceleration you determined in Step 2 or 3 by the acceleration due to gravity (9.8m/s^2 or 32ft/s^2). This is the "G-force" the object experiences -- the multiples of the acceleration due to gravity (g) that the object experiences. For example, if the object is experiencing 250m/s^2 acceleration, it experiences 250/9.8 = 25.5g of acceleration.
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