Question

Membrane walls of living cells have surprisingly large electric fields across them due to separation of ions. What is the electric potential across an 8.00~\text{nm}8.00 nm–thick membrane if the electric field strength across it is 7.13~\text{MV/m}7.13 MV/m? You may assume a uniform electric field.

Answer 1

5.704 x 10⁻² V

Step-by-step explanation:

given,

thickness of membrane, d = 8 nm = 8 x 10⁻⁹ m

Electric field strength, E = 7.13 MV/m

= 7.13 x 10⁶ V/m

The electric potential across membrane

V = E d

V = 7.13 x 10⁶ x 8 x 10⁻⁹

V = 57.04 x 10⁻³

V = 5.704 x 10⁻² V

the electric potential across an membrane is equal to 5.704 x 10⁻² V