In a biophysical context, monovalent ions pass through a narrow ion channel at a rate of 1.0×10^7 ions per second. What is the resulting current through the channel?

Study for the UCF PHY2054 General Physics Exam. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions complete with hints and explanations. Boost your understanding and get exam-ready!

Multiple Choice

In a biophysical context, monovalent ions pass through a narrow ion channel at a rate of 1.0×10^7 ions per second. What is the resulting current through the channel?

Explanation:
Current is the rate at which electric charge passes through the channel. If ions are monovalent, each ion carries one elementary charge e. So the current is the ion flow rate times e: I = (1.0×10^7 ions/s) × (1.602×10^-19 C) = 1.602×10^-12 C/s, which is 1.6×10^-12 A. That’s about 1.6 picoamperes.

Current is the rate at which electric charge passes through the channel. If ions are monovalent, each ion carries one elementary charge e. So the current is the ion flow rate times e: I = (1.0×10^7 ions/s) × (1.602×10^-19 C) = 1.602×10^-12 C/s, which is 1.6×10^-12 A. That’s about 1.6 picoamperes.

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