Question

Membrane walls of living cells have surprisingly large electric fields across them due to separation of ions. (Membranes are discussed in some detail in Nerve Conduction—Electrocardiograms.) What is the voltage (in mV) across a 7.95 nm thick membrane if the electric field strength across it is 6.60 MV/m? You may assume a uniform electric field.

Answer 1

Voltage, V = 0.0524 volts

Step-by-step explanation:

Thickness of the membrane,
`d=7.95\ nm=7.95* 10^(-9)\ m`

Electric field strength,
`E=6.6\ MV/m=6.6* 10^6\ V/m`

We need to find the voltage across it. The relationship between the voltage, electric field and the distance is given by :

`V=E* d`

`V=6.6* 10^6\ V/m* 7.95* 10^(-9)`

V = 0.0524 volts

So, the voltage across the thick membrane is 0.0524 volts. Hence, this is the required solution.