Question

The centrifugation is based on the principle of when a force is less than the gravity desired.

(a) True

(b) False

I got this question during an interview for a job.

Origin of the question is Centrifugation topic in section Unit Operations of Bioprocess Engineering

Answer 1

Right answer is (b) False

To explain: The “fictitious” force on everything that points opposite that of gravity,  the effect of gravity is reduced. Many particles or cells in a liquid suspension, given time, will eventually settle at the bottom of a container due to gravity. However, the length of time required for such separations is impractical. Other particles, extremely small in size, will not separate at all in solution unless subjected to high centrifugal force.