Electric Charge
A fundamental intrinsic physical property of subatomic particles that causes matter to experience an electrostatic force when placed in an electromagnetic field.
Governing formula
q = n e, e = 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ C
SI unit
C (Coulombs)
In depth
Electric charge occurs in two distinct types: positive (carried by protons) and negative (carried by electrons). Like charges repel each other, while opposite charges attract according to Coulomb's law. Charge is strictly conserved in all closed systems and quantized in integer multiples of the elementary charge e.
Examples in the real world
Static electricity charging a plastic comb when pulled through dry hair, or free electrons drifting through a copper wire creating an electric current.