Chapter 1
Electric Charge and Field
Electric Charge
Electric charge is one of the fundamental properties of matter, much like
mass. It exists in two types: positive and negative. The unit of electric
charge is the coulomb (C).
Quantization of Electric Charge
Charge doesn’t come in just any amount—it always exists in fixed quantities.
The smallest possible charge is the charge of a single proton (+1.6 ×
10⁻¹⁹ C) or a single electron (-1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ C). This means that all charges
are built up from these tiny building blocks.
Properties of Electric Charge
Like charges repel, while opposite charges attract—just like
magnets!
Charged objects can exert forces on each other even without
touching.
Charge is always conserved—it can't be created or destroyed, only
transferred from one object to another.
Electric Field
An electric field is an invisible region surrounding a charged object where
other charges experience a force. You can think of it like the force field
around a magnet, but for electric charges.
Electric Field Lines and Flux
Electric field lines are imaginary lines that show the direction of the
electric field. A positive charge pushes outward, while a negative
charge pulls inward.
Electric flux is a measure of how many electric field lines pass
through a certain area.
Properties of Electric Field Lines
They start from positive charges and end at negative charges.
Electric Charge and Field
Electric Charge
Electric charge is one of the fundamental properties of matter, much like
mass. It exists in two types: positive and negative. The unit of electric
charge is the coulomb (C).
Quantization of Electric Charge
Charge doesn’t come in just any amount—it always exists in fixed quantities.
The smallest possible charge is the charge of a single proton (+1.6 ×
10⁻¹⁹ C) or a single electron (-1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ C). This means that all charges
are built up from these tiny building blocks.
Properties of Electric Charge
Like charges repel, while opposite charges attract—just like
magnets!
Charged objects can exert forces on each other even without
touching.
Charge is always conserved—it can't be created or destroyed, only
transferred from one object to another.
Electric Field
An electric field is an invisible region surrounding a charged object where
other charges experience a force. You can think of it like the force field
around a magnet, but for electric charges.
Electric Field Lines and Flux
Electric field lines are imaginary lines that show the direction of the
electric field. A positive charge pushes outward, while a negative
charge pulls inward.
Electric flux is a measure of how many electric field lines pass
through a certain area.
Properties of Electric Field Lines
They start from positive charges and end at negative charges.
