Welcome to the Virtual Bioengineer Simulation:
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Objective: Learn about centrifuges, what they’re for, and how to use them in a lab. Tips:  1. Click on objects throughout, there may be hidden information 2. Ask any technical questions at help@amino.bio or look at our www.amino.bio/FAQs 
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Balancing a Centrifuge
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What is a Centrifuge? What do we use it for?
Centrifuges are used to seperate substances based on density. When a solution is left to sit in a container, gravity will cause higher density particles to sink to the bottom. Centrifuges speed up this process. Mixtures are placed around a holder connected to a motor, which can spin at high speeds. The resulting centrifugal force will seperate particles of higher density from the lower density solution it is suspended it. In labs, centrifuges can be used to seperate blood components. At Amino, we use a them to seperate bacteria when developing our bacterial art kits.  This simulator will show you the basics of setting up and using a centrifuge.
Great they are the same! Next 
W
Although in this example we fill the balancing tube with water, it is sometimes necessary to use a liquid that is closer in density with the solution in your sample tubes. This is because to have a balanced centrifuge, it is more important that all tubes are the same weight than having the exact amount of liquid. 
0.000g
5.000g
Check Balancing Tube Weight
Weight of the Balancing Tube
2.000g
3.000g
4.000g
5.000g
Tubes
Locking lid
Rotor
Foot pads
When you use a centrifuge, you have to ensure it is on a steady level surface to prevent any damages to the centrifuge, your experiment or yourself. Always test your centrifuge before use. Stop the unit immediatly if it begins shaking or moving the table. Running an unbalanced centrifuge is dangerous!
Speed & time controls
Next
Thats too much water! Try to be precise and match the amount of water with the amount of solution in your sample tubes.
Next Step
Retry
Fill
Select and hold the Fill button to add water to your balancing tube
8
2
12
Lets first practice balancing an even number of tubes for a typical 12 slot centrifuge.  Select how many sample tubes you will have.
6
10
4
5
11
Now lets practice balancing an odd number of tubes for a typical 12 slot centrifuge.  You may need to create a balancing tube for the sole purpose of countering the weight of  the odd tube.   Select how many sample tubes you will have.
9
3
7
1
When balancing a centrifuge, follow these principles: 1. All tubes should be evenly filled (But more importantly of equal weight) 2. Each tube placed in the rotor should have another tube opposite to it,  so center of gravity will remain centered to the rotor. 
Guide to balancing a 12 slot centrifuge
4
8
Please place all your tubes in the centrifuge!
2
10
Place your vials into the numbered slots in a configuration so that the centrifuge is balanced. Then select close lid and run
12
11
Close Lid and Run
6
5
7
3
1
Your centrifuge is shaking! Rebalance the tubes
9
Great Job! Next
Hang on! If you have 1, 5, 7, or 11 tubes, you actually need to create a balancing tube!
I have 3 or 9 sample tubes, I can skip the balance tube.
When the number of sample tubes you have is 1  5, 7,  or 11, you will have to create an extra tube to help maintain center of gravity. Remember when balancing a centrifuge, the idea is that each tube has another tube of equal weight opposite accross the rotor center. However with 3 or 9 tubes, it’s possible to maintain center of balance without an extra balance tube. Then you can decide! It’s also a good idea to mark your balancing tube with a different colour. 
Create a Balance Tube
Learn to pipette
Paint with Colourful Bacteria!
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You’ve Completed The Balancing a Centrifuge Simulator. Great Job!
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To Summarize: Centrifuges use centrifugal force by spinning at high speeds to seperate substances based on density. To do so requires balancing the sample tubes of the same weight around a center of gravity which is the center of the rotor. Sometimes this will require creating another tube of equal weight called the balance tube. Running an unbalanced centrifuge is dangerous! If your centrifuge begins to shake excessively, pull the plug right away!  
Great! 
Centrifuges are used to seperate substances based on density. When a solution is left to sit in a container, gravity will cause higher density particles to sink to the bottom. Centrifuges speed up this process. Mixtures are placed around a holder connected to a motor, which can spin at high speeds. The resulting centrifugal force will seperate particles of higher density from the lower density solution it is suspended it. In labs, centrifuges can be used to seperate blood components. At Amino Labs, we use centrifuges to seperate bacteria from the media they grow in.  This simulator will show you the basics of setting up and using a centrifuge safely.
Identify the parts of the centrifuge. Drag each word where it should go.  Hint: use the back arrow if you need help
Congratulations! Those are the main parts of a centrifuge.  Now, let’s learn how to place the tubes in the rotor to have a balanced centrifuge that operates properly and safely.
Ok