Question

Identify the applications of centrifugation from the options given below.

• A. Used to separate salt from water
• B. Used to separate various components of blood
• C. Used in dairies to separate butter from cream
• D. Used in washing machines to squeeze out water from wet clothes

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (C), (D)

Used in washing machines to squeeze out water from wet clothes

Centrifugation is used to separate the components of mixtures using the principle of density difference. When the mixture is spun rapidly in a centrifuge tube, the denser particles are thrown away from the centre and stick to the walls of the centrifuge tube and the lighter particles align themselves towards the centre. It is used in:
$\bullet$ Diagnostic laboratories for blood tests (to separate the different components of blood).
$\bullet$ Dairies to separate butter from cream.
$\bullet$ Washing machines to squeeze out water from wet clothes.