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PRAC2PHY272

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14 views6 pages

PRAC2PHY272

Uploaded by

lisakhanyathundzie24
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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1

NAME : Lisakhanya Thundzie


STUDENT NO : 230013324
MODULE CODE: 4PHY272
DEPARTMENT : ENGINEERING

Date:12 August 2024


Group 4B

PRACTICAL 2

MILLIKAN OIL DROP


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1.Aim:
To determine the elementary electric charge—that is, the charge of a
single electron—the Millikan oil drop experiment was conducted.
Millikan deduced the charge of an individual electron by closely
examining the behaviour of minute charged oil droplets in an electric
field. This allowed him to ascertain the charge on each droplet.

2.Apparatus:
▪ Atomizer
▪ 12 Volt DC Transformer for the halogen lamp
▪ Platform
▪ Non- volatile oil (Squibb #5597 Mineral oil, density = 886 kg/m)
▪ Plate charging switch

3. Introduction:
The Millikan oil drop experiment, conducted by physicist Robert A. Millikan in
1909, is one of the most pivotal experiments in physics. It provided the first
precise measurement of the elementary electric charge, e, which represents the
charge of a single electron. Although the electron's existence as a fundamental
unit of charge was recognized before this experiment, its exact charge had not
been accurately determined. Millikan’s experiment not only quantified this charge
but also offered strong evidence for the idea that electric charge is quantized, a
fundamental concept in modern physics.
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4. Procedure
 Apparatus Setup: The experiment uses a setup consisting of two horizontal
metal plates, a spray atomizer, a light source, a microscope, and a variable power
supply. The region between the plates is observed through the microscope.

 Oil Droplet Generation: A fine mist of oil droplets is sprayed between the
plates using the atomizer. Some of these droplets fall into the gap and acquire an
electric charge, either through friction or exposure to X-rays.

 Observation: The droplets are illuminated by a light source, making them


visible through the microscope. They can be observed moving under the influence
of gravity.

 Balancing Forces: An electric field is applied between the plates, and the
voltage is adjusted until a droplet becomes stationary, indicating that the electric
force is balancing the gravitational force.

 Measurement and Calculation: The charge q on the droplet is calculated using


the known electric field strength E, the droplet's mass mmm, and its terminal
velocity v. By repeating the procedure for many droplets, Millikan found that the
charge q was always an integer multiple of a fundamental value, e.

5. Results
No. Charge - Charge + Charge
15:23 01:19 2:85
04:50 0:84 4:55
05:72 0:45 9:01
08:80 0:64 5:49
07:95 0:32 8:05
12:58 0:58 5:44
05:08 0:79 7:21
07:90 0:76 5:53
08:22 4:01 3:64
4

09:29 4:38 6:11

IONIZATION OFF IONIZATION ON


3.49 2.76
7.66 3.35
9.42 2.34
5.93 2.39
5.49 3.21
7.12 3.52
5.77 3.98
4.72 4.36
5.38 3.54
7.17 3.33

6. Theory
The Millikan oil drop experiment is based on the principle of
balancing forces acting on tiny oil droplets within an electric
field. When small oil droplets are introduced between two
charged plates, they pick up a small electric charge. By
observing the motion of these droplets under the influence of
gravity and the electric field, their behavior can be analyzed.
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7. Discussion
Millikan’s careful experimentation allowed for the precise
determination of the elementary charge e, which he found to be
approximately 1.6×10−191.6 \times 10^{-19}1.6×10−19 coulombs. This
result confirmed the discrete nature of electric charge, showing that it
is quantized and that all charges are multiples of this fundamental unit.

The experiment also supported the atomic theory of matter, as the


existence of a smallest unit of charge suggested that electrons were
fundamental, indivisible components of atoms. Moreover, Millikan's
work played a crucial role in the development of quantum mechanics,
influencing the research of later physicists like Niels Bohr and Albert
Einstein.

While the experiment was an extraordinary achievement, it was not


without challenges. Millikan’s analysis required precise control of
various factors, such as the viscosity of air, the exact value of the
electric field, and the effects of air resistance on the droplets. Despite
these difficulties, his results were consistent and have been validated
by numerous subsequent experiments.

8. Conclusion
The Millikan oil drop experiment is a landmark in the field of experimental
physics, providing the first accurate measurement of the elementary electric
charge. Millikan’s findings confirmed the quantization of electric charge and laid
the foundation for the development of modern atomic theory and quantum
mechanics. This experiment highlights the importance of meticulous experimental
design and precision in scientific research.
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REFERENCES:
1. Millikan, R. A. (1913). On the Elementary Electric Charge and the
Avogadro Constant. Physical Review, 2(2), 109-143.
2. Serway, R. A., & Jewett, J. W. (2018). Physics for Scientists and Engineers
with Modern Physics (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.
3. Feynman, R. P., Leighton, R. B., & Sands, M. (1964). The Feynman
Lectures on Physics, Vol. 2. Addison-Wesley.
4. Knight, R. D. (2017). Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic
Approach (4th ed.). Pearson.

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