In an alternate universe, the smallest negatively charged particle, analogous to our electron, is called a blorvek. To determine the charge on a single blorvek, an experiment like Millikan's with charged oil droplets was carried out, and the following results were recorded : (a) Based on these observations, what is the largest possible value for the charge on a blorvek?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the purpose of the experiment, which is to determine the charge of a single blorvek, analogous to the electron in our universe.
2. Understand that the experiment involves measuring the charge on oil droplets, which are multiples of the fundamental charge of a blorvek.
3. Analyze the recorded charges from the experiment to find the greatest common divisor (GCD) of these values, as this will represent the largest possible value for the charge on a single blorvek.
4. Use the concept of quantization of charge, which states that any observed charge is an integer multiple of the fundamental charge, to support your analysis.
5. Conclude that the largest possible value for the charge on a blorvek is the GCD of the observed charges, as this represents the smallest unit of charge that can be measured in this experiment.

Key Concepts

Charge Quantization

Charge quantization refers to the principle that electric charge exists in discrete units, typically multiples of the elementary charge (e). In the context of the question, understanding that the charge of the blorvek must be a specific fraction or multiple of a fundamental charge is crucial for determining its value.

Millikan's Oil Drop Experiment

Millikan's oil drop experiment was a pivotal experiment that measured the charge of the electron by balancing the gravitational and electric forces on tiny charged oil droplets. This experiment demonstrated that charges are quantized and provided a method to calculate the charge of subatomic particles, which can be applied to determine the charge of the blorvek in the alternate universe.

Coulomb's Law

Coulomb's Law describes the electrostatic interaction between charged particles, stating that the force between two charges is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This law is essential for understanding how the charge on a blorvek would interact with other charges, influencing the results of the experiment conducted.