Question

The voltage across a membrane forming a cell wall is 76.0 mV and the membrane is 8.80 nm thick. What is the electric field strength (in V/m)? (The value is surprisingly large, but correct.) You may assume a uniform electric field.

Answer 1

Electric field = 8.6364 × 10⁶ V/m

Step-by-step explanation:

Given that:

The Voltage across the cell membrane = 76.0 mV

Also, 1 mV = 0.001 V

So, Voltage = 0.076 V

Given the thickness of the membrane = 8.80 nm

Also, 1 nm = 10⁻⁹ m

So, Thickness = 8.80 × 10⁻⁹ m

The expression for electric field is shown below as:

`Electric\ Field=\frac {Voltage}{Thickness}=(0.076)/(8.80* 10^(-9))\ V/m`

Electric field = 8.6364 × 10⁶ V/m