SUMMARY
Robert Millikan's Oil Drop Experiment was pivotal in measuring the charge of an electron by balancing gravitational force (F=mg) with electric force (F=qE). Millikan and his team did not know the exact number of electrons in each oil drop; instead, they determined that the charge was an integer multiple of a fundamental charge by analyzing multiple drops. Despite controversies surrounding the experiment's ethics, the results were ultimately validated and remain foundational in physics.
PREREQUISITES
- Understanding of electric fields and forces (F=qE)
- Knowledge of gravitational force calculations (F=mg)
- Familiarity with the concept of quantization of charge
- Basic principles of experimental physics
NEXT STEPS
- Research the methodology of Millikan's Oil Drop Experiment in detail
- Explore the implications of charge quantization in modern physics
- Study the ethical considerations in scientific research
- Investigate the historical context and impact of Millikan's findings on atomic theory
USEFUL FOR
Students of physics, educators, and researchers interested in the historical experiments that shaped modern atomic theory and the ethical dimensions of scientific research.