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.