Why is Millikan's experiment important?

1 Answer
Ernest Z. · Alan P. · Media Owl
Mar 11, 2015

Millikan's experiment is important because it established the charge on an electron.

Millikan used a very simple a very simple apparatus in which he balanced the actions of gravitational, electric, and (air) drag forces.

![Millikan's experiment with box and oil from http://images.tutorvista.com](http://images.tutorvista.com/cms/images/95/millikan-oil-drop-apparatus1.png)

Using this apparatus, he was able to calculate that the charge on an electron was 1.60 × 10⁻¹⁹ C.

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