Electric Charge Basics

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture notes on electric charge.

Electric charge

A property of matter arising from subatomic particles (protons and electrons) that causes electrical forces; measured in coulombs.

Proton

Positively charged subatomic particle with a charge of +1.6 × 10^-19 C.

Electron

Negatively charged subatomic particle with a charge of −1.6 × 10^-19 C.

Neutron

Electrically neutral subatomic particle (no net charge).

Charge symbol (q)

Symbol used to denote electric charge.

Coulomb

SI unit of electric charge; 1 coulomb is the charge moved by 1 ampere for 1 second.

Elementary charge (e)

The smallest unit of charge carried by a single proton or electron; magnitude 1.6 × 10^-19 C.

Gaining electrons

Process that makes an object negatively charged.

Losing electrons

Process that makes an object positively charged.

Positive electrification

Becoming positively charged by losing electrons.

Negative electrification

Becoming negatively charged by gaining electrons.

Like charges repel vs…

Charges with the same sign push away from each other.

Unlike charges attract vs….

Charges with opposite signs pull toward each other.

Conservation of charge

In a closed system, the total electric charge remains constant.

Conduction

Transfer of electric charge through direct contact; electrons move from higher to lower concentration.

Induction

Charging a neutral object without contact by bringing a charged object near; internal separation of charges occurs.

Conductor

Material that allows free movement of electrons, enabling charge flow.

Insulator

Material that restricts electron flow and limits charge movement.

Net charge calculation

q = (number of protons − number of electrons) × elementary charge (e).

Neutral object

An object with no net charge; equal numbers of protons and electrons.

Electric charge

A property of matter arising from subatomic particles (protons and electrons) that causes electrical forces; measured in coulombs.

Proton

Positively charged subatomic particle with a charge of +1.6 × 10^-19 C.

Electron

Negatively charged subatomic particle with a charge of −1.6 × 10^-19 C.

Neutron

Electrically neutral subatomic particle (no net charge).

Charge symbol (q)

Symbol used to denote electric charge.

Coulomb

SI unit of electric charge; 1 coulomb is the charge moved by 1 ampere for 1 second.

Elementary charge (e)

The smallest unit of charge carried by a single proton or electron; magnitude 1.6 × 10^-19 C.

Gaining electrons

Process that makes an object negatively charged.

Losing electrons

Process that makes an object positively charged.

Positive electrification

Becoming positively charged by losing electrons.

Negative electrification

Becoming negatively charged by gaining electrons.

Like charges repel vs…

Charges with the same sign push away from each other.

Unlike charges attract vs….

Charges with opposite signs pull toward each other.

Conservation of charge

In a closed system, the total electric charge remains constant.

Conduction

Transfer of electric charge through direct contact; electrons move from higher to lower concentration.

Induction

Charging a neutral object without contact by bringing a charged object near; internal separation of charges occurs.

Conductor

Material that allows free movement of electrons, enabling charge flow.

Insulator

Material that restricts electron flow and limits charge movement.

Net charge calculation

q = (number of protons − number of electrons) × elementary charge (e).

Neutral object

An object with no net charge; equal numbers of protons and electrons.

Force Field

A field in which an object will experience a force.

Electric Field

A region around a charged object where another charged object will experience an electric force.

If the amount of charge on one of two interacting objects is halved, what happens to the electric force between them?

The electric force will be halved, according to Coulomb's Law (F \propto q1q2).

If the distance between two charged objects is halved, what happens to the electric force between them?

The electric force will be quadrupled, according to Coulomb's Law (F \propto 1/r^2).

What is Electric Field Strength (E)?

The force experienced per unit positive charge at a given point in an electric field.

What is the formula for Electric Field Strength?

E = F/q, where E is electric field strength, F is electric force, and q is the magnitude of the test charge.

What is the SI unit for Electric Field Strength?

Newtons per Coulomb (N/C).

Problem: A pith ball with a charge of 8C experiences a force of 36N in an electric field. What is the field strength at the location of the pith ball?

1. Identify given values: F = 36 N, q = 8 C. 2. Use the formula for electric field strength: E = F/q. 3. Substitute values: E = 36 N / 8 C. 4. Calculate: E = 4.5 N/C.