1.25 An oil drop of 12 excess electrons is held stationary under a constant electric field of 2.55×10−4 N/C (Millikan’s oil drop experiment). The density of the oil is 1.26 gm/cm3. Estimate the radius of the drop.
(g = 9.81 m/s2; e = 1.60×10−19 C).
Let the radius of the oil drop =r
Force (F) due to electric field E is equal to the weight of the oil drop (W).
Fe=W
qE=mg
neE=mg=43πr3ρg
r=[3neE4πρg]13=[3×2.55×104×12×1.6×10−194×3.14×1.26×103×9.81]13=[946.09×10−21]13=9.82×10−7mm
The radius of the oil drop is 9.82 x 10−7 mm.
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