Electric Charge Definition
Electric charge is the imbalance of positive and negative particles in an object. For example, electrons transfer between objects, altering charge.
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Electric & Magnetic Fields
Fun Facts
- Clothes stick together due to transferred electrons creating opposite electric charges.
- Toner in laser printers sticks to paper due to opposite electric charges.
- Objects usually become electrically charged by rubbing against each other and transferring electrons from one area to another.
Why Do We Need To Know About Electric Charge
Studying electric charge helps us understand why devices we use every day work and why jobs in engineering and electronics matter. For example, our phone speakers make sound because of magnetic fields from electric charges, showing us how key electromagnetism is in tech.
Laser printers work by using electric fields. A drum with an electric charge pulls negatively charged toner onto paper. This use of electric charge is what allows us to print like we do today and creates jobs in making and bettering electronic gadgets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out the Full Lesson on Electric & Magnetic Fields
In this lesson, we learn that:
- Forces acting at a distance can be explained by electric & magnetic fields.
- Forces from electric and magnetic fields can be either attractive or repulsive.
- The strength of the force depends on factors like distance or the amount of charge.
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