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is a fundamental property of matter that creates electromagnetic forces. Positive and negative charges interact, with like charges repelling and unlike charges attracting. This interaction forms the basis for understanding electric fields and forces.

Charge behavior is governed by ###'s_law_0###, which describes the force between charged particles. Charge is quantized, conserved, and can be transferred through various methods. Understanding these principles is crucial for grasping electromagnetism and its applications.

Electric Charge

Types of electric charge

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  • is a fundamental property of matter causes it to experience a force when placed in an electromagnetic field measured in coulombs (C)
  • Two types of electric charge exist: positive and negative
    • Like charges repel each other, while unlike charges attract each other (two positive charges push away from each other, while a positive and pull towards each other)
  • Protons have a , electrons have a negative charge, and neutrons have no charge
    • An object with an equal number of protons and electrons is electrically neutral (an atom with 6 protons and 6 electrons has no net charge)
  • Objects can become charged through various methods
    • (rubbing a balloon on hair transfers electrons, making the balloon negatively charged)
    • (touching a charged object to a neutral object transfers charge)
    • (bringing a charged object near a neutral object redistributes charge in the neutral object)
    • Polarization (separation of charges within a neutral object due to an external electric field)

Behavior of electric forces

  • Electric forces are the attractive or repulsive forces between charged objects described by 's law
  • Coulomb's law states the magnitude of the electric force (FF) between two point charges (q1q_1 and q2q_2) is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance (rr) between them
    • F=k∣q1q2∣r2F = k \frac{|q_1q_2|}{r^2}, where kk is (k=8.99×109N⋅m2C2k = 8.99 \times 10^9 \frac{N \cdot m^2}{C^2})
    • Doubling the distance between charges reduces the force to one-fourth its original value
    • Tripling the charge on one object triples the force between them
  • The direction of the electric force depends on the signs of the charges
    • Like charges repel each other, resulting in a force that points away from each other (two positive charges push away)
    • Unlike charges attract each other, resulting in a force that points toward each other (a positive and negative charge pull together)
  • An is created by stationary electric charges, influencing the behavior of other charged particles in the vicinity

Properties of electric charge

    • Electric charge is quantized exists in discrete units rather than continuously
    • The fundamental unit of charge is the charge of an or (e=1.602×10−19Ce = 1.602 \times 10^{-19} C)
    • All charged objects have a charge that is an integer multiple of this fundamental unit (an object with a charge of −3.204×10−19C-3.204 \times 10^{-19} C has a charge equal to -2e)
    • The total electric charge in an isolated system remains constant over time
    • Charge cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred between objects or converted between forms (rubbing a balloon on hair transfers electrons but does not create or destroy them)
    • In any process, the total charge before and after the process remains the same (the total charge of a system before and after a chemical reaction is equal)

Charge distribution and detection

  • Electric dipoles consist of two equal and opposite charges separated by a small distance, often found in molecules
  • Dielectrics are insulating materials that can be polarized by an external electric field
  • An is a device used to detect the presence and type of electric charge on an object
  • is the process of connecting an electrically charged object to the Earth to neutralize its charge

Key Terms to Review (44)

Amber: Amber is fossilized tree resin that has been appreciated for its color and natural beauty since Neolithic times. It is significant in physics because it was one of the first materials known to exhibit electrostatic properties when rubbed.
Chadwick: James Chadwick was a British physicist who discovered the neutron in 1932. This discovery led to the development of nuclear physics and had a significant impact on our understanding of atomic structure.
Conduction: Conduction is the transfer of heat through a material without any movement of the material itself. It occurs due to the collision and diffusion of particles within the substance.
Conduction: Conduction is the transfer of thermal energy through a material without the involvement of any bulk motion of the material. It occurs when heat flows from a region of higher temperature to a region of lower temperature within a material or between materials in direct contact, due to the kinetic energy of vibrating atoms and free electrons.
Conduction electron: A conduction electron is a free electron in a conductor that can move freely and participate in electrical conduction. These electrons are responsible for carrying electric current through the material.
Conservation of Charge: Conservation of charge is a fundamental principle in physics which states that the total electric charge in an isolated system remains constant. It is neither created nor destroyed but can only be transformed or transferred from one location to another.
Coulomb: A coulomb (C) is the SI unit of electric charge, representing the amount of charge transported by a constant current of one ampere in one second. One coulomb is equivalent to approximately $6.242 \times 10^{18}$ elementary charges.
Coulomb: The coulomb (symbol: C) is the SI unit of electric charge, named after the French physicist Charles-Augustin de Coulomb. It is a fundamental quantity that describes the amount of electric charge and is used extensively in the study of electric phenomena across various physics topics.
Coulomb's Constant: Coulomb's constant, also known as the electrostatic constant or the electric force constant, is a fundamental physical constant that describes the strength of the electrostatic force between two point charges. It is a crucial parameter in understanding and quantifying various electrical phenomena, including Coulomb's law, electric fields, electric flux, electric potential energy, and applications of electrostatics.
Coulomb's law: Coulomb's law describes the force between two charged objects, stating that the force is directly proportional to the product of the magnitudes of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This principle is crucial for understanding interactions between electric charges, influencing how charges behave in different materials, and shaping the concept of electric fields.
Dielectric: A dielectric is a non-conductive material that, when placed between the plates of a capacitor, increases its capacitance by reducing the electric field strength. This effect occurs due to polarization within the dielectric material.
Dielectric: A dielectric is an insulating material that can be polarized by an electric field. It is a material that does not conduct electricity but can support an electrostatic field by storing energy in the form of an electric field. Dielectrics are essential in the operation of capacitors and other electronic devices, and they play a crucial role in understanding the behavior of electric charges, conductors, insulators, and the applications of electrostatics.
Electric charge: Electric charge is a fundamental property of matter that causes it to experience a force when placed in an electromagnetic field. It comes in two types: positive and negative.
Electric Charge: Electric charge is a fundamental property of matter that describes the ability of a particle or object to experience and generate electromagnetic forces. It is the source of all electromagnetic phenomena and is the basis for understanding the behavior of electric fields and electric currents.
Electric dipole: An electric dipole consists of two equal and opposite charges separated by a small distance. It creates an electric field and has a dipole moment, which is a vector quantity pointing from the negative to the positive charge.
Electric Dipole: An electric dipole is a pair of equal and opposite electric charges separated by a small distance. It is a fundamental concept in electrostatics that describes the electric field and potential created by a pair of equal but opposite charges.
Electron: An electron is a subatomic particle with a negative electric charge and negligible mass compared to protons and neutrons. Electrons play a key role in electricity, magnetism, and thermal conductivity.
Electron: An electron is a subatomic particle that carries a negative electric charge and is found in all atoms, playing a crucial role in the behavior of matter and the flow of electricity. Electrons are fundamental to understanding topics such as electric charge, conductors and insulators, and electric field lines.
Electroscope: An electroscope is a device used to detect and measure the presence of electric charge. It is a fundamental tool in the study of electric charge and its properties, particularly in the context of understanding electric charge and the principles of charging by induction.
Electrostatic attraction: Electrostatic attraction is the force that draws two oppositely charged particles towards each other. It arises due to the interaction between electric charges.
Electrostatic Field: An electrostatic field is a vector field that describes the force exerted on a stationary electric charge by the electromagnetic force. It is the region of space surrounding an electric charge or charges where other electric charges would experience a force.
Electrostatic force: Electrostatic force is the force of attraction or repulsion between two charged objects. It is described by Coulomb's law and acts along the line joining the centers of two charges.
Electrostatic Force: Electrostatic force is the force of attraction or repulsion between stationary electric charges. It is a fundamental force in nature that governs the behavior of charged particles and plays a crucial role in various electrical and electronic phenomena.
Franklin: Franklin is a unit of electric charge in the electrostatic unit (esu) system, equivalent to approximately $3.33564 \times 10^{-10}$ coulombs. Named after Benjamin Franklin, it represents the amount of charge that exerts an electrostatic force of one dyne on an equal charge at a distance of one centimeter.
Friction: Friction is the force that opposes the relative motion or tendency of such motion of two surfaces in contact. This force plays a vital role in various phenomena, as it affects everything from how objects slide against each other to the functioning of electrical charges. Understanding friction is crucial for analyzing how charged objects interact, particularly in electrostatic contexts where the transfer of charge may involve contact and separation between materials.
Gilbert: The gilbert (Gb) is a unit of magnetomotive force used in the centimeter-gram-second (CGS) system of units. It quantifies the amount of magnetic influence that produces a certain magnetic field strength.
Grounding: Grounding is the process of connecting an electrical conductor or device to the Earth to ensure safety and stabilize voltage levels. It prevents unwanted buildup of static electricity and protects against electrical shock.
Grounding: Grounding is the process of establishing a conductive connection between an electrical circuit or equipment and the earth, providing a low-resistance path for electric current to flow into the ground. This connection helps ensure the safe and proper operation of electrical systems by dissipating excess electrical charges and preventing the buildup of potentially dangerous voltages.
Induction: Induction is the process of generating an electric current in a conductor by exposing it to a changing magnetic field. This fundamental principle is the basis for the operation of many electrical devices and is crucial in the understanding of electromagnetic phenomena.
Ion: An ion is an atom or molecule that has gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in a net electric charge. Positive ions are called cations, and negative ions are called anions.
Law of conservation of charge: The law of conservation of charge states that the total electric charge in an isolated system remains constant over time. This implies that charge can neither be created nor destroyed, only transferred from one part of the system to another.
Leyden jar: A Leyden jar is a simple electrical component that stores static electric charge between two conductive layers separated by an insulating layer. It is one of the earliest forms of capacitors.
Negative Charge: Negative charge is an intrinsic property of certain subatomic particles, such as electrons, that creates an electrostatic force that repels other negatively charged particles and attracts positively charged particles. This charge is a fundamental characteristic that governs the behavior of matter and the interactions between charged objects.
Neutron: A neutron is a subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom that has no electric charge. It plays a crucial role in the stability of atomic nuclei and interacts with other particles through the strong nuclear force.
Neutron: A neutron is a subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom, with no electric charge and a mass slightly greater than that of a proton. Neutrons play a crucial role in the stability and composition of atomic nuclei, and are essential for various physical and chemical processes.
Nucleus: The nucleus is the central core of an atom, composed of protons and neutrons, which carry a positive electric charge. The nucleus is responsible for most of the atom's mass and plays a key role in electric charge interactions.
Point Charge: A point charge is an idealized model of an electric charge that is concentrated at a single point in space, with no physical size or dimensions. This concept simplifies the analysis of electric fields and forces, allowing for easier calculations and a clearer understanding of how electric charges interact with one another and produce electric fields.
Positive charge: A positive charge is a fundamental property of matter that results from the presence of more protons than electrons in an atom or object. It is one of the two types of electric charge, with the other being negative charge, and is responsible for the attractive force between charged particles, as opposite charges attract while like charges repel each other. Understanding positive charge is essential to grasping the behavior of electric fields and forces in physical systems.
Proton: A proton is a subatomic particle with a positive electric charge found in the nucleus of an atom. It has a charge of $+1e$ and a mass approximately 1836 times that of an electron.
Proton: A proton is a subatomic particle that carries a positive electric charge and is a fundamental constituent of all atomic nuclei. Protons play a crucial role in the study of electric charge, conductors, insulators, electric field lines, and electric potential calculations.
Quantization of Charge: Quantization of charge is the fundamental principle that electric charge can only exist in discrete, indivisible units, rather than as a continuous quantity. This concept is a crucial foundation in the understanding of electric charge and its behavior in various physical phenomena.
Rutherford: Rutherford, also known as Ernest Rutherford, was a physicist who discovered the nuclear model of the atom. His work laid the foundation for understanding atomic structure and electric charge distribution within atoms.
Static electricity: Static electricity is the buildup of electric charge on the surface of objects, typically caused by friction between different materials. These charges remain stationary until they are discharged.
Thomson: J.J. Thomson was a physicist who discovered the electron and proposed the plum pudding model of the atom. His work laid the foundation for modern atomic theory and greatly influenced our understanding of electric charge.
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Glossary
Glossary
5.2 Conductors, Insulators, and Charging by Induction