There are two types of charges, nimali positive and negative and their effects tend to cancel each other. Here, we shall no describe some other properties of the electric charge.
If the sizes of charges bodies are various small age compared to the distance as between them, we treat them as point charges. All the charges connect of the body is assumed to be concentrated at one point in space.
Basic Properties of Electric Charge
What is Electric Charge?
Electric charge is a fundamental property of matter that causes electrical attraction and repulsion. Every charged object carries either a positive (+) or a negative (−) charge.
1. Two Types of Electric Charge
- Positive Charge (+)
- Negative Charge (−)
Rule:
- Like charges repel each other.
- Unlike charges attract each other.
2. Conservation of Charge
Electric charge can neither be created nor destroyed. It can only be transferred from one object to another. Therefore, the total charge of an isolated system remains constant.
3. Quantization of Charge
Electric charge exists in discrete units. The charge on any object is always an integral multiple of the elementary charge.
Formula:
Q = ne
Where:
- Q = Total charge
- n = Integer (1, 2, 3, ...)
- e = 1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ C
4. Additive Nature of Charge
The total charge on a body is the algebraic sum of all individual charges present on it.
5. Charge is a Scalar Quantity
Electric charge has only magnitude and no direction. Hence, it is a scalar quantity.
Key Points
- Electric charge has two types: positive and negative.
- Like charges repel each other.
- Unlike charges attract each other.
- Electric charge is conserved.
- Charge is quantized.
- Charge is additive.
- SI unit of electric charge is Coulomb (C).
