This document discusses the principles and applications of centrifugation. It defines centrifugation as using centripetal force to separate substances of different densities. There are three main types of centrifuges: low-speed centrifuges which operate at speeds up to 5000rpm; high-speed centrifuges which allow more control over speed and temperature; and ultracentrifuges, the most sophisticated, which operate at very high speeds and require vacuum and temperature control. The main applications of centrifugation are preparative techniques like sedimentation and differential centrifugation, and analytical techniques like density gradient and zonal centrifugation which are used to separate and analyze viruses, organelles, and other particles.