…..

Electron (continued)
Millikan’s Oil Drop Experiment

In 1909 Millikan performed the oil drop experiment to determine the charge on an
electron.
Experimental Arrangement is as shown in figure:

Atomizer
P1
+ W2
W1 X- rays
Light Clock oil
HT
P2
Double walled
- chamber
View through
S
microscope (W3)

Fig: Millikan’s experimental arrangement

Here,
P1 , P2 are horizontal metal plates placed inside double walled, insulated chamber. P1 has a
small hole for the entrance of oil drop sprayed by atomizer.
W1 , W2 and W3 are the windows in the chamber for the passage of illuminating light,
ionizing X- ray and viewing through microscope respectively.
HT is the high tension variable power source to apply electric field.
Working: Oil is sprayed into the chamber and the motion of one of the drops between the
plates P1 and P2 is observed through a calibrated microscope under two conditions.
a) Without the application of electric field.
In this case the drop moves down with a terminal velocity v1 under the action of following
4
forces.Weight, W = 𝜋r 3 ρg acting in downward direction.
3
4
Up thrust, U = 𝜋r 3 σg acting in upward direction. And,
3

Viscous force, Fv = 6πηrv1 acting upward, opposite to direction of motion.

Where, ρ is density of oil, σ is density of air and η is coefficient of viscosity of air.
At equilibrium, we have Fv + U
Fv + U = W
v1
4 3 4 3
or 6πηrv1 + 𝜋r σg = 𝜋r ρg
3 3
W
4
or 6πηrv1 = 𝜋r 3 (ρ − σ)g ------------------ (1)
3
 9ηv1
This gives r=√ ------------------ (2)
2(ρ−σ)g

Which is the radius of the oil drop.

b) With the application of electric field E
In this case the electric field is switched on and its value is adjusted so that the drop moves
upward and attains a terminal velocity v2 in upward direction. Here it will be under the
4
action of following forces Weight, W = 𝜋r 3 ρg acting in downward
3
U + Fe
direction.
4
Up thrust, U = 𝜋r 3 σg acting in upward direction. v2
3

Electrostatic force Fe = qE acting in upward direction, W + Fv

where q is the charge on the drop. And,

Viscous force, Fv = 6πηrv2 acting downward, opposite to direction of motion.
So at steady state, U + Fe = W + Fv
or Fe = (W- U) + Fv
4
or qE = 𝜋r 3 (ρ − σ)g + 6πηrv2
3

or qE = 6πηrv1 + 6πηrv2 (Using equation 1)

or qE = 6πηr(v1 + v2 )
6πη
or q= r(v1 + v2 ) ------------------ (3)
E

By using expression (2) for r,

6πη 9ηv1
q=
E
√2(ρ−σ)g (v1 + v2 ) ------------------ (4)

The charge on the oil drop can be determined by using equation (3) or (4)
Charge of an electron: The experiment is repeated to find charge on a number of oil
drops. Each time the charge on a drop is found to be equal to an integral multiple of 1.6 ×
10-19 C, indicating that the charge of an electron is e = 1.6 × 10-19 C. Moreover, the total
charge on the drop, q = ne, where n is an integer.
Note: If the drop continues to move downward under the application of electric field
6πη 9ηv1
equation (4) is modified to q=
E
√2(ρ−σ)g (v1 − v2 )

Importance:
i) It showed that smallest charge that can be given to a body is the electronic charge e
ii) It gave an idea of the quantization of charge, that is total charge q = ne, where n is an
integer.
Thomson’s Experiment
(Please read about cathode rays before this experiment)

Purpose: The Thomson experiment is used to find the specific charge, i.e, charge to mass
ratio (e/m) of an electron.
Principle: It is based on the application of cross fields. Here, electron passes through the
electric field E and a magnetic field B applied in mutually perpendicular direction such that
deflection produced by one field is cancelled out by the other field. So net deflection of
electron beam is zero. In other words,
Force due to electric field = Force due to magnetic field
Or eE = Be𝑣
E
Or 𝑣= where 𝑣 is the velocity of electron.
B

Experimental arrangement:
Fluorescent screen
Magnetic field
+
- A P
+ + P1
C
O
VD
- - P2 Q

CRT

Fig: Thomson’s Experiment

It consists of a cathode ray tube (CRT) containing horizontal deflecting plates P1 and P2
placed one over another. Electric field E is produced between the plates in vertically
downward direction and a magnetic field B is applied perpendicular to the plane of paper
in inward direction so that they are perpendicular to each other. Cathode rays (stream of
electrons) produced by cathode C, are accelerated under an accelerating potential ‘Va’ and
pass through a hole in anode A in the form of fine beam.
Theory: Without electric and magnetic field, beam of electrons passes straight and strikes
the fluorescent screen at point O, producing a luminous spot. With electric field applied,
the beam is deflected up and spot is seen at P. On applying the magnetic field only, it is
deflected down to the point Q.
Now both fields are applied simultaneously, and their value are adjusted until the spot
comes back to point O. At this condition, net deflection of the beam is zero and the
condition for cross fields is attained. Then,
Force due to electric field (Fe) = Force due to magnetic field (FB)
or eE = Be𝑣
Here, 𝑣 is the speed of electron.
E
This gives, 𝑣= --------------- (1)
B

Since accelerating p.d. between cathode and anode is Va we have,

1
Kinetic energy of electron, m𝑣 2 = eVa
2
2eVa
or 𝑣2 = --------------- (2)
m

E2 2eVa
Using equation (1), =
B2 m

e E2
or = --------------- (3)
m 2Va B2

If VD is the deflecting p.d. between the plates and, ‘d’ is the distance of separation
VD
between them, then E= --------------- (4)
d

Using this value in equation (3),

e VD 2
= --------------- (5)
m 2Va d2 B2
e
All the quantities on RHS can be determined. Hence, specific charge of the electron can
m
e 11
be calculated by using equation (5). It was found that, = 1.76 × 10 C/kg.
m

Importance:
Mass of electron can’t me measured directly. Result of Thomson’s experiment and
Millikan’s experiment can be combined to calculate the mass of electron. Thus,
e 1.6×10−19
m= = = 9.1 × 10−31 Kg
e/m 1.76×1011

Numerical Problems:
Millikan’s Experiment
1. In a Millikan’s oil drop experiment, a drop is observed to fall with a terminal speed of 1.4
mm/s in the absence of electric field. When a vertical electric field of 4.9 × 105 V/m is
applied, the droplet is observed to continue to move downward at a lower terminal speed
1.21 mm/s. Calculate the radius and charge of the drop. (Density of oil ρ = 750 kg/m3,
density of air σ = 1.29 kg/m3, viscosity of air η = 1.81 × 10-5 Kg/ms ( or Ns/m2) and g =9.8
m/s2) Ans: 3.94 × 10-6m, 5.15× 10-19 C
 9ηv1 6πη
Hints: Use r=√ and, q = × r × (v1 − v2 )
2(ρ−σ)g E

(v1 + v2 ) किन नगरे िो होला ?

2. In a Millikan-type apparatus the horizontal plates are 1.5 cm apart. With electric field
switched off an oil drop is observed to fall with a steady velocity 2.5 × 10-2 cm/s. When the
field is switched on the upper plate being positive, the drop just remains stationary when
the p.d. between the plates is 1500 V. a) Calculate the radius of the drop. b) How
3
many electronic charges does it carry? (Oil density =900 kg/m , viscosity of air η = 1.81 ×
10-5 Ns/m2. Neglect air density) Ans: 1.5× 10-6m, 8 electrons
Use σ = 0, v2 = 0 and q = ne to find n
3. An oil drop of mass 3.25× 10-15 kg falls vertically with uniform velocity, through the air
between vertically, through the air between vertical parallel plates which are 2 cm apart.
When a p.d. of 1000 V is applied to the plates the drop moves towards the negatively
charged plate, its path being inclined at 45o to the vertical. Calculate the charge on the
drop. Ans: 6.37× 10-19C
(You can find solution in book, if required)
Thomson’s Experiment
1. In a Thomson’s experiment, voltage across the plates is 50 V and the distance between
them is 3 cm. The magnetic field applied to make the beam un deflected is 10-4 T. What is
the velocity of the electron passing between the plates? Ans: 1.67× 107m/s
2. Electrons are accelerated from rest by a p.d. of 100 V. What is their final velocity? The
electron beam now enters normally a uniform electric field of intensity 105 V/m. Calculate
the flux density B of a uniform magnetic field applied perpendicular to the electric field if
the path of the beam is unchanged from its original direction. Use e/m =1.8 × 10 11 C/kg.
Ans: 6 × 106m/s 1.7 × 10-2 T
1
Hints: use m𝑣 2 = eV to find speed v. And
2

eE = Be𝑣 to find B

You are suggested to prepare MCQs from text books for the exams.