Overview
The Millikan oil drop experiment was a fundamental experiment performed in 1909 to determine the charge of an electron. By observing tiny oil droplets between two charged plates, Millikan was able to measure the electric charge.
The Millikan oil drop experiment was a fundamental experiment performed in 1909 to determine the charge of an electron. By observing tiny oil droplets between two charged plates, Millikan was able to measure the electric charge.
A droplet suspended in equilibrium experiences gravitational force balanced by an upward electric force. By adjusting the voltage and measuring the terminal velocity, Millikan calculated the charge on the droplet.
The setup includes an atomizer to spray oil droplets, a chamber with two parallel plates, a microscope to view the drops, and a variable voltage source. The droplets get charged through friction during spraying.
