Question

Assume that Millikan performed the oil drop experiment. In the oil drop experiment, the following charges(in arbitrary units) were found on a series of oil droplets. Calculate the magnitude of the charge on the electron.
(a) 1.6 × 10-¹9 C
(b) 4 × 10-¹5 C
(c) 2 × 10-¹9C
(d) 2 × 10-¹5 C
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Answer 1

Option D is correct.


We know how Millikan performed oil drop experiment. The magnitude of the charge should be smallest and other charges should be integral multiples of that smallest charge.

So, in the data given here, the smallest charge is 2 × 10-15 and all other charges are integral multiple of it. Therefore, The charge on electron = 2 × 10-15.