Electric Charge and Atomic Structure

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the fundamental properties of electric charges, atomic particles, electrostatic interactions, and the law of conservation of charge.

Electric charge

A property of all matter that can be positive, negative, or neutral.

Electric force field

A field that surrounds charged objects.

Factors of electrostatic strength

The strength of attraction or repulsion between two charged objects, which depends on the amount of charge on each object and the distance between the two objects.

Like charges

Two charges of the same type (such as two positive or two negative charges) that repel each other.

Opposite charges

Charges of different types (a positive and a negative charge) that attract each other.

Protons

Positively charged particles held tightly inside the nucleus of an atom.

Electrons

Negatively charged particles that spin around the outside of the nucleus and are attracted to it due to having opposite charges.

Neutrons

Neutral particles that are held tightly inside the nucleus of an atom alongside protons.

Nucleus (of an atom)

The tightly bound region at the center of an atom containing protons and neutrons, which gives it an overall positive charge.

Neutral atom

An atom in which the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons.

Friction (in charging)

The rubbing together of two neutral materials that causes electrons to move, while protons remain tightly held in the nucleus.

Negative charge formation

The state that occurs when an atom or object gains electrons.

Positive charge formation

The state that occurs when an atom or object loses electrons.

Induction

A process by which charges are rearranged inside a material.

The Law of Conservation of Charge

A law stating that charges cannot be created or destroyed; they are simply transferred from one place to another.