Exam-style question
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How does the quantisation of charge relate to the concept of elementary charge?.
- A.It shows that charge can be created or destroyed.
- B.It indicates that charge exists in fixed amounts, specifically the elementary charge.
- C.It proves that charge can vary continuously.
- D.It suggests that charge is dependent on temperature.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- It indicates that charge exists in fixed amounts, specifically the elementary charge.
Explanation
Why this works
The evidence from Millikan's experiment indicates that the charges observed were always integer multiples of the elementary charge (approximately 1.6 x 10^-19 C). This shows that charge is not a continuous quantity but rather exists in fixed, discrete amounts.
The implication is that this fundamental charge is a basic building block of all charged particles, leading to the conclusion that all observable charge in nature can be expressed as multiples of this elementary charge.
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