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The ultracentrifuge is a device invented in 1925 by Theodor Svedberg, which by use of very high acceleration, and allowing the observation of sedimentation rates for macromolecules, allowed for the determination of their approximate
molecular weights. Svedberg won the 1926 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his invention.
Other, simpler centrifuges are used in biology and biochemistry for isolating and separating biocompounds on the basis of molecular weight. These will tend to rotate at a slower rate than an ultracentrifuge, and have larger rotors, and be optimized for holding large quantities of material at intermediate acceleration.
Other centrifuges are used to separate isotopes, and these kinds of centrifuges are in use in nuclear power and nuclear weapon programs.
Exceptionally large centrifuges are used to test the reactions of pilots and astronauts to acceleration above those experienced in the Earth's gravity.
Because of the kinetic energyKinetic energy (also called vis viva or living force is energy possessed by a body by virtue of its motion. The kinetic energy of a body is equal to the amount of work needed to establish its velocity and rotation, starting from rest. Equations Definition stored in the rotor head, those who have experienced an ultracentrifuge losing a rotor compare the experience to having a bombThis article is about explosive devices. Bomb can also refer to water bombs or volcanic bombs. Bomb is also a slang term. A bomb is an explosive device, usually some kind of container filled with explosive material, designed to cause destruction when set explode nearby.