Problem related to Milikan's Oil Drop Experiment

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem related to Millikan's Oil Drop Experiment, specifically focusing on calculating the weight of an oil drop suspended between charged parallel plates. The subject area includes concepts of electrostatics and forces acting on charged particles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss various formulas related to electric potential and charge, while questioning how to determine the weight of the oil drop. There is also a focus on understanding the relationship between charge and the forces acting on the droplet.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different aspects of the problem. Some have provided insights into the nature of the experiment and the forces involved, while others are seeking clarification on specific values and concepts.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the assignment is graded, which may influence the approach to the problem. There is also a mention of the need to measure the size of the oil droplet to determine its weight, highlighting the experimental nature of the inquiry.

NYROCKFAN
Messages
34
Reaction score
0
How would I figure out the answer to this question (what formulas)?

Here are the formulas I've been using for this homework assignment:
PEe = -qEd
V = W/q
V = -Ed
C = q/V

Question:
An oil drop having a charge of 8 x 10^-19 C is suspended between two charged parallel plates. The plates are separated by a distance of 8 mm, and there is a potential difference of 1200 V between the plates. What is the weight of the suspended oil drop?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
By the way... this assigment is being collected & graded.
 
wait a minute... I think I have it. I just need the weight of one electron (in kg). Anyone know that?
 
OOps... I meant mass in kg or weight in Newtons.
 
The oil drop experiment doesn't measure the mass of an electron. It measures the charge of an electron.

The idea is that if you can measure how big the oil droplet is, you can figure out its weight. If it's floating, then the charge is balancing the weight.

The charge might be any number of electrons though: 1, 2, 3, etc.

So you have to look for the drops that float, but only just - the ones that float easily with a low voltage on the plates have two or more spare electrons on them.
 
Ask yourself what forces are acting on this droplet? Since the droplet isn't moving, what can you say about these forces? Draw a diagram if need be.
 

Similar threads

Calculating Charge of an Electron w/ the Millikan Oil Drop Experiment
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
Calculating Charge Of Electron (Millikan Oil Drop Experiment
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Millikan oil drop experiment charge determination
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Millikan Oil Drop Experiment: Determining Elementary Charge
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Charge on a grounded conducting sphere in a uniform electric field, after ungrounding and movement
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Millikan Oil drop lab experiment - equation for speed of drop
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Excess Electrons, Milikan Oil Drop
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
What is the Polarity of Charges in a Millikan Type Experiment?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
What is the charge of the oil drop in Millikan's experiment?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
6K
Millikan's Oil-Drop Experiment: Is my reasoning correct?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K