The potential difference across a cell membrane is -90 mV . If the membrane's thickness is 10 nm

step 1 we have delta v is electric field times the distance between which the potential difference is m

The potential difference across a cell membrane is -90 mV ....

The potential difference across a cell membrane is $-90 \mathrm{mV} .$ If the membrane's thickness is $10 \mathrm{nm},$ what is the magnitude of the electric field in the membrane? Assume the field is uniform.

Key Concepts

Electric Potential Difference

The electric potential difference, often called voltage, represents the work required per unit charge to move a test charge between two points in an electric field. It is a measure of the energy difference per unit charge between these two points, making it a fundamental concept in understanding how forces act on charges.

Electric Field Strength

Electric field strength quantifies the force exerted on a unit positive charge at any point within the field. In the case of a uniform electric field, the magnitude of the field can be found by dividing the potential difference by the distance over which it is applied, a relationship that provides a direct measure of how rapidly the potential changes in space.

Uniform Electric Field

A uniform electric field is characterized by constant magnitude and direction at all points within the field. This distinct characteristic simplifies the analysis and calculations, as the same value of field strength applies across the entire region under consideration.

Unit Conversion

Unit conversion is essential in any calculation involving different physical quantities to ensure that all units are consistent. When calculating electric field strength, it is important to convert all measurements, such as the distance (from nanometers to meters) and potential difference (typically in volts), into compatible units for accurate computation.

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