Hydrodynamical methods

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF SEDIMENTATION

An object moving in a Circle at a steady angular velocity will
experience a force. F. directed outwards. This is the basis of
centrifugation. Angular velocity in radians ɷ and the radius of
rotation. r. in centimeters. collectively determine the magnitude of the
force F.

F might be expressed in terms of earth's gravitational force if

it is divided by 980. The resultant is referred to as the relative
centrifugal force. RCF. RCF is more frequently referred to
as the 'number times g'.

For everyday use. the relationship will be better if expressed in terms

of 'revolutions per minute'. rpm. the common way in which the
operating speed of a centrifuge rotor is expressed. Radius. ꞷ. and
rpm share the following relationship;

If one considers the above relationship. it becomes clear that since all
other values are constants. the RCF depends upon the rpm and the
radius of rotation. r. If r is constant, variations in rpm alone will be a
cause for variation in RCF.
The speed of a centrifuge rotor might be expressed in terms of rpm or
RCF. However, different centrifuges owing to their designs would
have different radii (distances between the rotor axis and the middle
of the sample tube) which would give rise to different RCFs at the
same rpm.
Apart from RCF, the rate of sedimentation of a given particle
would also depend upon its own characteristics such as its
density, and its radius. The characteristics of the medium in
which the particle is suspended - its density. viscosity – will
also tend to affect the rate of sedimentation of the given
particle.