What Is the Mass of an Oil Drop Balanced Between Metal Plates?

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SUMMARY

The problem involves calculating the mass of an oil drop with a charge of one electronic unit, balanced between two horizontal metal plates separated by 1 cm and subjected to a potential difference of 800 volts. The electric field (E) is determined using the formula E = V/d, where V is the voltage and d is the distance between the plates. The equilibrium condition between electric and gravitational forces is expressed as EQ = mg, leading to the equation Q = dmg/V. The discussion emphasizes the importance of considering the characteristics of air in the final calculations.

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Homework Statement



Two horizontal metal plates are 1cm apart in air. An oil drop bearing a charge of one electronic unit is balanced between the plates when the potential difference between them is 800volts. Find the mass of the drop.

Homework Equations



I may need to use some combination of: dV = -E ds, and W = 1/2 eE^2l. But I'm really not even very certain on that.

The Attempt at a Solution



Really I've got nothing on this one! Any suggestions of which way to look for the solution would be much appreciated.
 
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What's the electric field between the plates of a parallel-plate capacitor? Once you get that, write out the equilibrium condition between the electric and gravitational forces.
 
Ok, so we have that E=V/d and then that EQ=mg (equilibrium condition), this will then yield Q=dmg/V.

I think I'm playing the right ball-game now, but this seems too simple (and doesn't yield a result that makes sense assuming my arithmetic is correct). Should my final condition take the characteristics of air into consideration?
 
Last edited:

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