Question

A chemist in an imaginary universe, where electrons have a different charge than they do in our universe, performs the millikan oil drop experiment to measure the electron's charge. the charges of several drops are recorded below. what is the charge of the electron in this imaginary universe?

Answer 1

The charge of an electron in the imaginary universe, based on the modified Millikan oil drop experiment data, appears to be 1.6 × 10^-19 C, which is determined by finding the greatest common divisor of the listed charges of several oil drops.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the description of the modified Millikan oil drop experiment set in an imaginary universe, we can extract the charge of the electron. If we look at the charges for oil drops A through E, we can find the greatest common divisor, which would indicate the fundamental charge unit for an electron in this universe. The provided charges are:

• Oil drop A: 4.8 × 10^-19 C
• Oil drop B: 3.2 × 10^-19 C
• Oil drop C: 6.4 × 10^-19 C
• Oil drop D: 1.6 × 10^-19 C
• Oil drop E: 4.8 × 10^-19 C

By analyzing these values, we can deduce that the smallest charge of 1.6 × 10^-19 C is the fundamental charge unit consistent with each of the other charges. Therefore, the charge of the electron in this imaginary universe would likely be 1.6 × 10^-19 C, similar to the known value in our universe.

Answer 2

Millikan experiment consisted in finding the minimum possible charge by obtaining the tiniest drop possible.

Then, he inferred that was the charge of the electron, given that it was not possible to find a lower charge.

Given these recorded data:

- 6.9 * 10^-19

- 9.2 * 10^-19

- 11.5 * 10^-19

- 4.6 * 10^-19

You must find a number that divide the four data and yields a whole number.

This number is -2.3 * 10^ -19.

In that way you find:

- 6.9 * 10^-19 / -2.3 * 10 ^ -19 = 3 => 3 electrons

- 9.2 * 10^-19 / -2.3 * 10^-19 = 4 => 4 electrons

- 11.5 * 10^-19 / -2.3 * 10^ -19 = 5 => 5 electrons

- 4.6 * 10^-19 / -2.3 * 10^ -19 = 2 => 2 electrons

And you can conclude that the charge of the electron is -2.3 * 10 ^ -19

Answer: -2.3 * 10^ -19