Which practice is recommended when placing a sample tube in a centrifuge?

• A. Fill the tube to the top to prevent spillage.
• B. Use unbalanced tubes if the centrifuge is running at low speed.
• C. Always balance the tube with another tube of equal volume directly opposite.
• D. Place all tubes on one side of the rotor for faster separation.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the purpose of balancing tubes in a centrifuge: balancing ensures that the rotor spins smoothly without excessive vibration, which protects both the equipment and the samples.
2. Recognize that filling the tube to the top is not recommended because it can cause spillage during centrifugation, potentially contaminating the rotor and samples.
3. Know that using unbalanced tubes, even at low speeds, can cause damage to the centrifuge and lead to inaccurate results due to uneven forces.
4. Learn that placing all tubes on one side of the rotor is unsafe and can cause mechanical failure or accidents due to imbalance.
5. Therefore, the recommended practice is to always balance the tube with another tube of equal volume placed directly opposite in the rotor to maintain equilibrium during centrifugation.