Elementary Charge

Mr. Andersen explains the concept of elementary charge, the smallest unit of charge, as determined by Robert Millikan's oil drop experiment. The video covers the quantization of charge, meaning it exists in discrete units of 1.6 x 10^-19 coulombs. Millikan's experiment involved balancing oil drops in an electromagnetic field to measure this charge. The video also discusses the forces acting on the oil drops, such as gravity and air resistance, and how quarks within protons contribute to charge quantization.

What is the smallest unit of electric charge that can exist according to Millikan's findings?

• 3.2 x 10^-19 coulombs

• 1.6 x 10^-19 coulombs

• 0.8 x 10^-19 coulombs

• 2.4 x 10^-19 coulombs

In Millikan's oil drop experiment, what was the purpose of using X-rays?

• To measure the mass of the oil drops

• To change the color of the oil drops

• To ionize the oil drops by adding or removing electrons

• To heat the oil drops

How did Millikan balance the forces acting on the oil drops in his experiment?

• By adjusting the temperature

• By altering the size of the oil drops

• By changing the viscosity of the air

• By varying the voltage across the plates

What is the charge of a proton in terms of elementary charge?

• Negative elementary charge

• Double the elementary charge

• Zero charge

• Positive elementary charge

Which subatomic particles are responsible for the overall charge of an atom?

• Neutrons and electrons

• Protons and electrons

• Protons and neutrons

• Quarks and neutrons