Exam-style question
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In Millikan's oil-drop experiment, what principle is used to balance the gravitational force and the electric force on the oil droplet?.
- A.Newton's first law
- B.Principle of superposition
- C.Force balance
- D.Conservation of energy
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- Force balance
Explanation
Why this works
The principle of force balance is used in Millikan's experiment to determine the charge on the oil droplets. By balancing the gravitational force acting downwards with the electric force acting upwards, the charge can be calculated accurately.
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