ELECTRIC CHARGE

AND
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRIC CHARGE
Electric charge is a fundamental concept within physics, serving
as a cornerstone for comprehending the physical world. This
article will delve into the intricate nature of the electric charge
and its accompanying properties. We will unveil the essence of
electric charge through meticulous examination, providing a
comprehensive definition and exploring its different types and
governing principles. Additionally, our article will encompass a
comprehensive overview of the various methodologies
employed in the charging process, including friction,
conduction, and induction.
 TYPES OF ELECTRIC CHARGE
Electric charge comes in two main types: positive and negative charges. Positive charges
are associated with protons, which are subatomic particles residing in the nucleus of an
atom. They are represented by the symbol “+”. On the other hand, negative charges are
linked to electrons, which orbit the atomic nucleus and are denoted by the symbol “-“.

The distinction between positive and negative charges plays a vital role in
comprehending the behaviour of electrically charged objects. Opposite charges, such
as positive and negative, attract each other, while like charges, such as positive and
positive or negative and negative, repel each other. This fundamental principle is the
foundation for various concepts in electromagnetism and is pivotal in understanding
the interaction of charged particles
TYPES OF ELECTRIC CHARGE
When an object carries a negative charge, it possesses an excess of electrons
compared to protons. Conversely, a positive charge indicates an excess of protons
relative to electrons.
It’s important to note that when an equal number of positive and negative
charges are present, they cancel each other out, resulting in a neutral state for the
object.
By grasping the definition of electric charge and recognizing the significance of
positive and negative charges, one can understand the fundamental principles
governing electricity and magnetism.

Note: In the context of electric charge, the terms “attraction” and “repulsion” are used to describe how
charges interact with each other.
Measuring Electric
Charge Coloumb is the unit of electric charge.
“One coulomb is the quantity of charge transferred in one second.
” Mathematically, the definition of a coloumb is represented as:
Q = I.t
Electric charge possesses several important properties that help us understand its behaviour. Let’s explore these
properties:
Additivity of Electric Charge
ELECTRIC CHARGE
When charges combine, their magnitudes add up algebraically. For example, if we have a positive charge of +3
units and a negative charge of -2 units, the resulting charge would be +1 unit.
.
Conservation of Electric Charge:
In an isolated system, electric charge is conserved. This means that the total electric charge within the system
remains constant over time. The algebraic sum of all the charges present in the system remains the same.
Quantization of Electric Charge
Electric charge comes in discrete, indivisible units called elementary charges. The smallest unit of electric charge is
the charge carried by an electron, which is approximately -1.6 x 10-19 coulombs. This quantization of charge
implies that electric charge cannot be divided into smaller parts.
attractive and repulsive forces between charges. He found out that the magnitude of force decreases when the distance
of separation between the charges increases. We know that like charges repel each other, while unlike charges attract.
However, have you ever wondered about the strength of these forces acting between charges? Coulomb’s Law offers us

COULOMB’S LAW
a method to calculate this force precisely.
(According to Coulomb’s Law, the magnitude of the electrostatic force between two point charges is directly
proportional to the product of their magnitudes and inversely proportional to the square of the distance separating
them.)

The Coulomb’s Law is given by the expression:

Fe =kq1q2
where F, is the electric force, q1 and q2 are electric charges, k is the Coulomb’s constant 8.988×109 N ⋅m2/C2 and r
is the distance of separation. By applying Coulomb’s Law, we can quantitatively determine the strength of the electric
force between charges and gain valuable insights into their interactions. This fundamental principle holds great
significance in the field of electromagnetism and enables us to analyse various electrical phenomena.
COULOMB’S LAW
Objects simply do not acquire charges on the order of 1.00 Coulomb. In fact, more likely Q values are on the order of 10-
9 or possibly 10-6 Coulombs. For this reason, a Greek prefix is often used in front of the Coulomb as a unit of charge.
Charge is often expressed in units of microCoulomb (µC) and nanoCoulomb (nC). If a problem states the charge in these
units, it is advisable to first convert to Coulombs prior to substitution into the Coulomb's law equation. The following unit
equivalencies will assist in such conversions.
Coulomb = 106 microCoulomb
1 Coulomb = 109 nanoCoulomb
The problem-solving strategy used in Example A included three steps: 1. Identify and list known information in variable
form. 2. List the unknown (or desired) information in variable form. 3. Substitute known values into the Coulomb's law
equation and using proper algebraic steps to solve for the unknown information. (In some cases and for some students, it
might be easier to first do the algebra using the variables and then perform the substitution as the last step.)
ELECTRICAL AND
GRAVITATIONAL FORCES
Electrical force and gravitational force are the two non-contact forces discussed in The Physics Classroom tutorial.
Coulomb's law equation for electrical force bears a strong resemblance to Newton's equation for universal gravitation.

The two equations have a very similar form. Both equations show an inverse square relationship between force and
separation distance. And both equations show that the force is proportional to the product of the quantity that causes the
force - charge in the case of electrical force and mass in the case of gravitational force. Yet there are some striking
differences between these two forces. First, a comparison of the proportionality constants - k versus G - reveals that the
Coulomb's law constant (k) is significantly greater than Newton's universal gravitation constant (G). Subsequently a unit of
charge will attract a unit of charge with significantly more force than a unit of mass will attract a unit of mass. Second,
gravitational forces are only attractive; electrical forces can be either attractive or repulsive.

Through the application of Coulomb’s Law, scientists and researchers have been able to uncover the intricate workings of
electric forces and comprehend their profound impact on the world around us.
 METHODS OF
CHARGING
Charging by Friction
When two objects are rubbed against each other, a transfer of charge occurs. In this process, one of the objects loses electrons
while the other gains electrons. The object losing electrons becomes positively charged, while the object gaining electrons
becomes negatively charged. This phenomenon, where both objects become charged due to friction, is commonly known as
electrification by friction. Charging by Conduction

Charging by conduction
involves bringing an uncharged object in close proximity to a charged object. If the charged object has an unequal number of
protons and electrons, the uncharged object will discharge electrons to achieve stability. This transfer of charge through
contact is known as charging by conduction.

Charging by Induction
Charging by induction refers to the process of charging an uncharged object by merely bringing it close to a charged object,
without any direct physical contact. Through induction, the charged object induces a redistribution of charges in the
uncharged object, resulting in the acquisition of charge.
By understanding these different methods of charging, we can explore the fascinating ways in which objects become
charged through friction, contact, or proximity. The study of charging provides valuable insights into the behaviour
and interaction of electric charges in various scenarios.
 EXAMPLE’S
Example A
Suppose that two point charges, each with a charge of +1.00 Coulomb are separated by a distance of 1.00 meter. Determine
the magnitude of the electrical force of repulsion between them.

his is not the most difficult mathematical problem that could be selected. It certainly was not chosen for its mathematical
rigor. The problem-solving strategy utilized here may seem unnecessary given the simplicity of the given values.
Nonetheless, the strategy will be used to illustrate its usefulness to any Coulomb's law problem. The first step of the
strategy is the identification and listing of known information in variable form. Here we know the charges of the two
objects (Q1 and Q2) and the separation distance between them (d). The next step of the strategy involves the listing of the
unknown (or desired) information in variable form. In this case, the problem requests information about the force. So
Felect is the unknown quantity. The results of the first two steps are shown in the table below.
The next and final step of the strategy involves substituting known values into the Coulomb's law
equation and using proper algebraic steps to solve for the unknown information. This step is shown
below.
Felect = k • Q1 • Q2 / d2 Felect = (9.0 x 109 N•m2/C2) • (1.00 C) • (1.00 C) / (1.00 m)2
Felect = 9.0 x 109 N
EXAMPLE’S
The problem states the value of Q1 and Q2. Since these values are
expressed in units of nanoCoulombs (nC), the conversion to Coulombs
must be made. The problem also states the separation distance (d). Since
distance is given in units of centimeters (cm), the conversion to meters
must also be made. These conversions are required since the units of
charge and distance in the Coulomb's constant are Coulombs and meters.
The unknown quantity is the electrical force (F). The results of the first
two steps are shown in the table below.

The final step of the strategy involves substituting known values

into the Coulomb's law equation and using proper algebraic
steps to solve for the unknown information. This substitution
and algebra is shown below. Felect = k • Q1 • Q2 / d2 Felect =
(9.0 x 109 N•m2/C2) • (6.25 x 10-9 C) • (6.25 x 10-9 C) /
(0.617 m)2
Felect = 9.23 x 10-7 N
 EXAMPLE’S
Example #2
The force between two identical charges separated by 1 cm is equal to 90 N. What is the
magnitude of the two charges?
Solution:
2.The problem says the two charges are identical, so
First, draw a force diagram of the problem
q1 = q2 = q Substitute this into the equation

3. Since we want the charges, solve the equation for q

1. Define the variables: F = 90 N q1 = charge of first body q2 =
charge of second body r = 1 cm Use the Coulomb’s Law
Equations
EXAMPLE’S
4. Enter the values of the problem for each variable into this
equation. Remember to convert 1 cm to 0.01 meters to keep the
units consistent.

q = ±1.00×10-6 Coulombs This equation has two possible answers. The charges can both be positive or
both negative and the answer will be the same for the repulsive Columb force over a distance of 1 cm.

Answer: Two identical charges of ±1.00×10-6 Coulombs separated by 1 cm produce a repulsive force
of 90 N