Question

How was the charge of an electron determined?

Answer 1

Determining the charge of an Electron

• The charge on an electron was determined by American physicist Robert Andrews Millikan in between the years 1906 and 1914.
• The charge of an electron was determined in an experiment named Millikan's Oil Drop Experiment.
• This experiment involves the application of a high potential difference between two horizontal metallic plates.
• These plates were held apart by an insulating material.
• When oil was sprayed into a chamber above the plates.
• The oil obtained an electric charge and began to rise.
• After certain calculations, the charge of the electron was found to be $-1.6\times {10}^{-19}$ Coulombs.

Therefore, the charge of an electron was determined by Millikan in Millikan's Oil Drop Experiment.