Original Post
when graphing y=mx, the slope is dy/dx.
Is there a way to calculate the slope without using x values?
this question came up when i was asked to look for the elementary charge of an oil droplet (Millikan''s oil drop experiment).
the sheet gives a list of charges taken from a single drop of oil, and we have to find a number that divides each of them evenly. Trying to find out the greatest common factor didnt work, because first number is 6.563 x 10 ^-19 (i dont know how to factor it)
Next i expresssed everything to q=Ne
so
q1=n1e
q2=n2e
..
...
but instead of n2, i expressed that in terms of n1, and put 1.25n1, making it q2=1.25n1e.
i just divided q2 by q1 to get the ratio and applied it to n.
But now i cant get the slope to get e, because my x values are all in terms of N, if i dont get that number i cant get the slope. my slope is like 6.563/N1
i''ll post all the values.
6.563 x 10 ^-19 C
8.204 x 10 ^-19 C
11.50 x 10 ^-19 C
13.13 x 10 ^-19 C
16.48 x 10 ^-19 C
18.08 x 10 ^-19 C
19.71 x 10 ^-19 C
22.89 x 10 ^-19 C
26.13 x 10 ^-19 C