Question

A cell membrane consists of an inner and outer wall separated by a distance of approximately 10nm. Assume that the walls act like a parallel plate capacitor, each with a charge density of 10?5C/m2, and the outer wall is positively charged. Although unrealistic, assume that the space between cell walls is filled with air.

PART A. What is the magnitude of the electric field between the membranes?

1×106N/C

1×10?15N/C

5×10?5N/C

9×10?2N/C

Answer 1

1 × 10⁶ N/C

Step-by-step explanation:

The magnitude of the electric field between the membrane = surface density / permittivity of free space = 10 ⁻⁵C/ m² / (8.85 × 10⁻¹²N⁻¹m⁻²C²) = 1.13 × 10⁶ N/C approx 1 × 10⁶ N/C