Millikan's Oil Drop Experiment Quiz

Who determined the specific charge of an electron before Millikan?

• Niels Bohr

• J.J. Thompson

• Albert Einstein

• Isaac Newton

Answer explanation

J.J. Thompson determined the specific charge of an electron before Millikan through his experiments with cathode rays.

In what year did Millikan and Fletcher determine the actual charge on an electron?

• 1888

• 1923

• 1897

• 1909

Answer explanation

Millikan and Fletcher determined the actual charge on an electron in 1909, making the correct answer choice 1909.

What is the main purpose of the light box in the experiment setup?

• To measure the charge

• To create an electric field

• To shine a light into the chamber

• To calculate the velocity

Answer explanation

The main purpose of the light box in the experiment setup is to shine a light into the chamber, not to measure the charge, create an electric field, or calculate the velocity.

What does the telescope in the experiment setup do?

• Measures the size of the spheres

• Calculates the charge on the spheres

• Generates an electric field

• Allows observation of the spheres

Answer explanation

The telescope in the experiment setup allows observation of the spheres, enabling researchers to visually inspect the behavior and interactions of the spheres.

What is used to balance the force of gravity in the experiment?

• Magnetic field

• Electric field

• Light intensity

• Air pressure

What did Millikan use to determine the charge of the electron?

• Plastic beads

• Metal balls

• Oil droplets

• Silicon spheres

What was the incorrect value that affected Millikan's results?

• Density of oil

• Viscosity of air

• Electric field strength

• Acceleration due to gravity

Answer explanation

The incorrect value that affected Millikan's results was the viscosity of air, not the density of oil, electric field strength, or acceleration due to gravity.

What did Millikan measure to determine the charge on the electron?

• Size of the droplets

• Weight of the droplets

• Color of the droplets

• Velocity of the droplets

What was the accepted value of the charge on an electron determined by Millikan?

• 1.60 x 10^-18 Coulombs

• 1.602 x 10^-19 Coulombs

• 1.59 x 10^-19 Coulombs

• 1.50 x 10^-19 Coulombs

Answer explanation

Millikan determined the accepted value of the charge on an electron to be 1.59 x 10^-19 Coulombs.

What did Millikan's experiment demonstrate about the charge on an electron?

• It is continuous

• It is negligible

• It is infinite

• It is quantised