Electric charge generates an electric field. The electric charge influences other electric charges with electric force and is influenced by the other charges with the same force in the opposite direction.
There are 2 types of electric charge:
Positive charge has more protons than electrons (Np>Ne).
Positive charge is denoted with plus (+) sign.
The positive charge attracts other negative charges and repels other positive charges.
The positive charge is attracted by other negative charges and repelled by other positive charges.
Negative charge has more electrons than protons (Ne>Np).
Negative charge is denoted with minus (-) sign.
Negative charge attracts other positive charges and repels other negative charges.
The negative charge is attracted by other positive charges and repelled by other negative charges.
| q1/q2 charges | Force on q1 charge | Force on q2 charge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| - / - | ←⊝ | ⊝→ | repletion |
| + / + | ←⊕ | ⊕→ | repletion |
| - / + | ⊝→ | ←⊕ | attraction |
| + / - | ⊕→ | ←⊝ | attraction |
| Particle | Charge (C) | Charge (e) |
|---|---|---|
| Electron | 1.602×10-19 C |
-e |
| Proton | 1.602×10-19 C |
+e |
| Neutron | 0 C | 0 |
The electric charge is measured with the unit of Coulomb .
One coulomb has the charge of 6.242×1018 electrons:
1C = 6.242×1018 e
When electric current flows for a specified time, we can calculate the charge:
Q = I ⋅ t
Q is the electric charge, measured in coulombs .
I is the current, measured in amperes .
t is the time period, measured in seconds .
Q is the electric charge, measured in coulombs .
i(t) is the momentary current, measured in amperes .
t is the time period, measured in seconds .
Electric charge is the the fundamental element of material carried by elementary particles that regulates the way that particles react to an electromagnetic or electric field. The electric charge may be negative or positive is present in natural units that are discrete and is not created or destroyed.