Question

The inner and outer surfaces of the membrane of a neuron carry a positive and a negative charge, respectively. Because of these charges, a typical potential difference of about $V_{in} - V_{out} = -70$ mV exists across the membrane. The thickness of the membrane is 8 nm. A. If the membrane were empty (filled with air), find (1) the electric field inside the membrane (in V/m), and (2) the membrane surface charge density (in C/m$^2$), that would produce a 70 mV transmembrane potential. Snapshot from a simulation of a lipid membrane (mostly grey) imbedded in water (blue). Pastor, Venable, & Feller, Acc. Chem. Res. (2002) 35, 438-446. B. If the dielectric constant of the membrane were $kappa = 3$, find (1) the electric field inside the membrane, and (2) the membrane surface charge density, that would produce a 70 mV transmembrane potential.

          The inner and outer surfaces of the membrane of a
neuron carry a positive and a negative charge,
respectively. Because of these charges, a typical
potential difference of about $V_{in} - V_{out} = -70$ mV exists
across the membrane. The thickness of the membrane
is 8 nm.
A. If the membrane were empty (filled with air), find
(1) the electric field inside the membrane (in
V/m), and (2) the membrane surface charge
density (in C/m$^2$), that would produce a 70 mV
transmembrane potential.
Snapshot from a simulation of a lipid
membrane (mostly grey) imbedded in water
(blue). Pastor, Venable, & Feller, Acc. Chem.
Res. (2002) 35, 438-446.
B. If the dielectric constant of the membrane were $kappa = 3$, find (1) the electric field inside the
membrane, and (2) the membrane surface charge density, that would produce a 70 mV
transmembrane potential.

The inner and outer surfaces of the membrane of a
neuron carry a positive and a negative charge,
respectively. Because of these charges, a typical
potential difference of about Vin - Vout = -70 mV exists
across the membrane. The thickness of the membrane
is 8 nm.
A. If the membrane were empty (filled with air), find
(1) the electric field inside the membrane (in
V/m), and (2) the membrane surface charge
density (in C/m^2), that would produce a 70 mV
transmembrane potential.
Snapshot from a simulation of a lipid
membrane (mostly grey) imbedded in water
(blue). Pastor, Venable, Feller, Acc. Chem.
Res. (2002) 35, 438-446.
B. If the dielectric constant of the membrane were kappa = 3, find (1) the electric field inside the
membrane, and (2) the membrane surface charge density, that would produce a 70 mV
transmembrane potential.

Added by John R.

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