Question

When a nerve cell fires, the charge is transferred across the cell membrane to change the cell's potential from negative to positive. For a typical nerve cell, $9.0pC$of charge flows in a time of $0.50\mathrm{ms}$. What is the average current through the cell membrane?

Short answer

The average current through the cell membrane is$1.8\times {10}^{-8}\mathrm{A}.$

Step-by-step solution

Given Information

Charge flow$=9.0pC$

Time$=0.50ms$

Explanation

The average current is simply equal to the total charge that flows divided by total time required yielding

$I=\frac{Q}{t}$

Substitute the values,

$=\left(\frac{9.0\times {10}^{-12}\mathrm{C}}{0.50\times {10}^{-3}\mathrm{s}}\right)$

$I=1.8\times {10}^{-8}\mathrm{A}.$

Final Answer

Hence, the average current through the cell membrane is$1.8\times {10}^{-8}\mathrm{A}.$