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Cell Membranes and Dielectrics Many cells in the body have a cell membrane whose inner and...

Cell Membranes and Dielectrics Many cells in the body have a cell membrane whose inner and outer surfaces carry opposite charges, just like the plates of a parallel-plate capacitor. Suppose a typical cell membrane has a thickness of 8.4×10−9 m , and its inner and outer surfaces carry charge densities of -5.3×10−4 C/m2 and +5.3×10−4 C/m2 , respectively. In addition, assume that the material in the cell membrane has a dielectric constant of 5.4.

Part A

Find the direction of the electric field within the cell membrane.

into the cell or out of the cell?

Part B

Find the magnitude of the electric field within the cell membrane.

E = N/C

Part C

Calculate the potential difference between the inner and outer walls of the membrane. Use mV as your unit

Part D

Indicate which wall of the membrane has the higher potential.

Inner or Outer?

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