Question

What is the current in amperes if 1200 na+ ions flow across a cell membrane in 3.5 μs ? the charge on the sodium is the same as on an electron, but positive?

Answer 1

Charge = 1200 * 1.6 * 10^-19 = 1920 * 10^-19
Time = 3.5 µs = 3.5 * 10^-6 s
But Current = charge/time = (1920 * 10^-19) / (3.5 * 10^-6)
So Current becomes 548.5714 * 10^(-19-(-6))
So we have 548.5714 * 10^(-19 + 6) = 548.5714 * 10^(-13)
So we have 5.485714 * 10^(-15)

Answer 2

`I=5.48* 10^(-11)\ A`

Step-by-step explanation:

It is given that,

Number of Na⁺ ion, n = 1200 C

So, total charge,
`q=1200* 1.6* 10^(-19)\ C`

Time taken to flow the charges, t = 3.5 μs = 3.5 × 10⁻⁶ s

Electric current is defined as the ratio of electric charge per unit time.

`I=(q)/(t)`

`I=(1200* 1.6* 10^(-19)\ C)/(3.5* 10^(-6)\ s)`

`I=(1200\ C)/(3.5* 10^(-6)\ s)`

`I=5.48* 10^(-11)\ A`

So, the current flowing in the circuit is
`5.48* 10^(-11)\ A`