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Jilian McGugan April 5, 2012 GE150 Professor Nelsen Unit 2 Lab 1: Gravity

The lab was computer based experiments, mathematical calculation and a lab report for data. The lab experiments were on centrifuges. Centrifuges are designed to generate a large gravitational force. The large gravitational force makes denser components of a mixture migrate away from the center of the centrifuge. Simultaneously, less dense components can be made to move towards the center by mixing the substance in a thick liquid. In a laboratory, the centrifuge is designed to hold containers or test tubes in a spinning holder, or rotor. The test tube holder is attached to a remoter that stands the container or the test tubes in a circular path. This produces the angular force that sets up a gravitational force on the material in the containers or test tubes. Effectively, the gravitational force on the materials is increased based on how rapidly the holder spins. The speed of spinning is measured as the RPM units (revolutions per minute). After recording the number of layers and RPMs, we calculated the gravitational force of a centrifuge. The gravitational force in a centrifuge is calculated from the acceleration produced by the angular momentum. The gravitational force is then determined by dividing a (acceleration in meters per second squared) by the acceleration of gravity. After the completion of the lab and calculations, we were required to record the data; corresponding g-force, number of layers and position of layers position results. After the computer based lab experiment, we were required to submit ideas on gravitational force and angular momentum that are applied in other areas. Figure skating has examples of both gravitational force and angular momentum. Jumps are an example of gravitational force in figure skating. As the Figure skater jumps, the gravitational force pulls the figure skater and the ice back together. Spinning is an example of angular momentum in figure skating. Angular momentum describes the rotational state of a spinning mass. As a skater goes into a spin with her arms spread, she spins slowly. As she pulls her

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arms in tight to her body, her angular momentum must remain constant, since no outside forces are acting. Her rate of spin must increase (Trefil & Hazen, 2007).

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Works Cited

Trefil, J., & Hazen, R. (2007). The Sciences. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.