Idea Bank: Modeling the Millikan Oil Drop Experiment

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The Idea Bank provides tips and techniques for creative teaching, in about 1,000 words. This month’s Idea Bank describes an activity that allows students to recreate Robert Millikan's thought process for his oil drop experiment.

Topics

Chemical changes Chemical properties Disciplinary Core Ideas Disciplinary Core Ideas in Physical Science ENCdl Modeling Observing Physical Science Properties of materials PS1.A: Structure and Properties of Matter PS1: Matter and Interactions Science and Engineering Practices Science as Inquiry Science Focus Science process skills SEP1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems SEP2: Developing and Using Models SEP3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations Three Dimensions of the Framework and/or NGSS

Details

Type Journal ArticlePub Date 7/1/2014Stock # tst14_081_05_16Volume 081Issue 05

Community Reviews

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Ruth Lehmann Hutson (Westmoreland, KS)

Outstanding modeling exercise

High school students struggle with the reasoning behind Milliken's famous oil drop experiment. This is an important discovery in atomic theory and it is crucial for students to understand Mi... See More

Betty Paulsell (Kansas City, MO)

Electrons Exist!! Prove It!!

Modeling the Millikan Oil Drop Experiment is a very interesting article where students use simple measuring techniques to understand the thought processes of Millkan's measuring the electron... See More

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