In: Chemistry
What were some error's in Millikan's oil drop experiment and what were their sources. This deals with his finding charge of electron experiment .
Sources of errors in Milikan's oil drop experiment:
1. Viscosity of air- viscosity depends upon humidity and other factors. It is not possible to determine the value for viscosity accurately.
2. velocity of the oil drop: The eyepiece of the micrometer used to determine the velocity of the oil drop, takes time to focus and give the reading. This may result in small error in calculating the velocity of the drop.
3. selecting only one oil drop: It difficult to select only one oil drop. Also, other oil drops with same charge, behaving in a similar manner may effect the calculations.
4. Electric field: The electric field between the plates may sometimes vary due to fringing effect.
5. Parallax error: There may be some error involved in reading the time and observing the drops.
6. Air pressure: the experiment assumes the air pressure to be constant but practically its not possible. Air pressure, in general, is fluctuating.