In cells, ions often flow through conduits in the membrane known as ion channels. These channels allow the passage of various kinds of charged particles through the nonpolar membrane. A particular channel exchanges positively- charged hydrogen ions with negatively-charged carbonate ions.
Assume that during the time the channel is open, 4.9 X 10^9 H+ ions flow into the cell and the same amount of C03- ions flow out. Given that the length of a typical ion channel is 16 A and that the current produced is 6.2 X 10^-12A, what is the average velocity of the ions in cm/s? Assume that all the ions fit entirely within the channel at one time.