B.5 Current and Circuits

Electrical charge (q)

Fundamental property of some subatomic particles that makes them experience electrical forces when they interact with other charges. Can be positive of negative.

What is the unit of charge?

Coulombs

Elementary Charge (e)

1.6 × 10^-19 C

Negative or positive charge of protons and neutrons.

Law of Conservation of Charge

the net amount of charge produced in any transfer process is zero. - charge remains constant

Current (electric), I

A flow of electric charge. Equal to the amount of charge passing a point in unit time.