A charged oil drop is between two parallel plates in a Millikan type experiment.

Question

A charged oil drop is between two parallel plates in a Millikan type experiment. The potential difference between the plates is adjusted so that the drop is stationary. If the oil drop coalesces (combines) with another uncharged oil drop, what will the combined drop do?

A charged oil drop is between two parallel plates in a Millikan type experiment. The potential difference between the plates is adjusted so that the drop is stationary. If the oil drop coalesces (combines) with another uncharged oil drop, what will the combined drop do?



Remain at rest.


Move downwards.


Move upwards.


Move either upwards or downwards depending on the mass of the second drop.

Explanation / Answer

The combined oil drop will remain at rest.This is because the weight of the combined oil drop is balanced by the force due to electric field between the plates.That is, Mg = Eq where M is combined mass of drop,g = 9.8 m/s^2,E is electric field and q is charge on drop

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