Millikan's oil drop experiment direction

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around understanding the forces acting on a charged oil drop in Millikan's oil drop experiment. When the drop is balanced, the electric force equals its weight, leading to the equation Eq = mg. The participants clarify that viscous force acts upwards when the drop is falling, opposing its motion. At terminal velocity, the viscous force is indeed directed upwards, countering the weight of the drop. The conversation emphasizes that viscous force arises only during movement and is always opposite to the direction of that movement.
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Homework Statement



Revered members,
Kindly see my attachment.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


When the charged oil drop is balanced, electric force = weight of oil drop.
Eq = mg
Eq = F + U, where F is the viscous force and U is the upthrust force. Since the oil drop attains terminal velocity mg = F + U.
I know viscous force always act upwards. But i can't figure out the direction of viscous force when oil drop is balanced. Please help, members
 

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If there is no relative movement (between a body and the medium) there will be zero viscous friction force.
 
Viscous force is directly proportional to velocity.
Viscous force only arises when there is movement of the oil drop (eg. when the electric field is removed and the drop falls. Here viscous force will continue to increase until upthrust + viscous force = weight. Then, resultant force being zero, the drop will fall with terminal velocity)
Also, viscous force always opposes direction of motion.
 
Last edited:
Thanks a lot NascentOxygen and Physics S16 for your replies.
What about the direction of viscous force when terminal velocity is achieved? Will it be upwards?
I think upwards from the statement of Physics S16 that viscous force always opposes direction of motion
 
Yes, always exactly opposite to the direction of [relative] motion.
 
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