Properties and Quantization of Charge

Properties of Charge

Like charges repel and unlike charges attract each other. A charges body attracts other uncharged light particles. The total charge of an isolated physical system is always conserved. Charge is relativistically invariant, i.e. it doest not charge with option of charged particle and no charge in it is possible, whatsoever ma be the circumstances.i.e. the static charge is equal to dynamic charge.

The exchange of charge, in any physical process, can be in integral multiples of electron charge and not its fraction.

Mathematically, q=+/- ne where n is an integer. 

The unit  of charge is coulomb or stat-coulomb. Other sub unit are nC, microC, etc.,

One electrostatic unit of charge (esu) = 1/3 * 1000000000 coulomb. One electromagnetic unit of charge (emu) = 10C. Its dimensional formula is [AT]. The minimum electric charge which can taken part in any physical process is defined as one quantum of charge. Charge is quantised. Charge and mass are equivalent quantities. 

Quantisation of  Charge

Whatever may be the cause of origin of charge on a body, it is always in the form an integral multiple of electronic charge and mot its fraction i.e. q=+/-  ne where n is and integer. Charge less than that of electron is impossible. According to Galman particles with fractional charges known as quarks are also possible but these have not been experimentally verified as yet. 

The electric charge is discrete. It has been verified by Millikan's oil drop experiment. The magnitude one quantum of cage is equal top electron or proton charge. If a body possess n1 protons and n2 elections, them net charge on it will be (n1-n2)e.

Electric Charge

The branch of Physics which deals with the study of electric charges is called electricity. There are two branches of electricity. They are electrostatics and electrodynamics. 

Electrostatics is branch of Physics which deals with the study of electric charges at rest or charges which are not in motion or electric charges which are stationary. Electrodynamics is the branch of Physics which deals with the study of electric charges in motion. 

Electric Charge

It is a fundamental and main property of matter. It can never be isolated from matter. There are two types of electric charge. One is positive charge and another is negative charge. 

Positive Charge

Positive Charge showed the deficiency of electrons from a body or particle. A glass rod gets positively charged  on rubbing it with silk. The mass of body decreases when the body acquired positive charge.

Negative Charge

Negative Charge showed the excess of electrons on the body or particle. When the negative charge is provided somewhat the mass of body increases. When an ebonite rod is rubbed with fur, it get negative charged. The main cause for production  of charges is according to law of conservation of electric charge. According to this law, there will production of two opposite and equal charges. The net charge on the neutral body is zero and is equal to the sum of positive and negative electric charges.