Date Presented

Spring 4-21-2022

Document Type

Capstone

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Physics

First Advisor

Richard Sonnenfeld

Abstract

The experiment we are recreating is the oil drop experiment conducted by Robert A. Millikan in 1910[1]. The purpose of the experiment is to calculate the charge of the electron. This experiment had been done before Millikan, but he used more precise methods for both his observational process and his mathematical analysis. Because of this, the charge of the electron is, of course, known at this point. We also know of the most significant sources of error in this experiment. Namely, the viscosity of air, as it depends on the size of the drop and the pressure inside the oil drop chamber. The purpose of this paper is to contribute more data and to see the effects on uncertainty that different sources of error have on the final values.

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