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.

The data obtained is as follows:

2 $\times$ ${10}^{-19}$ C
4 $\times$ ${10}^{-19}$ C
6 $\times$ ${10}^{-19}$ C

Calculate the magnitude of the charge on the electron.

• A. 1.6 $\times$ ${10}^{-19}$ C
• B. 4 $\times$ ${10}^{-15}$ C
• C. 2 $\times$ ${10}^{-19}$ C
• D. 2 $\times$ ${10}^{-15}$ C

Answer 1

The correct option is C

2 $\times$ ${10}^{-19}$ C

Now, 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 $\times$ ${10}^{-19}$ C

and all other charges are integral multiple of it.

Therefore,

The charge on electron = 2 $\times$ ${10}^{-19}$