Electric charge is the most fundamental quantity in an electric circuit. The effects of electric charge are encountered daily, such as when a wool sweater sticks to the human body or when a person receives a shock while walking on a carpet.
Charge is an inherent property of the atomic particles that make up matter and is measured in units called coulombs (C). Matter is composed of atoms, each consisting of electrons, protons, and neutrons. Electrons have a negative charge (-e), while protons carry a positive charge (+e), with both charges having the same magnitude. An atom is electrically neutral when it has an equal number of protons and electrons.
Key points about electric charge include:
The movement of positive charges in one direction and negative charges in the opposite direction gives rise to electric current. Typically, a conventional current flow is defined as the movement of positive charges, and it is measured in units known as amperes (A). When the current remains constant over time, it is called direct current (DC). In cases where the current varies with time, it is denoted as a time-varying current, often referred to as alternating current (AC). AC is commonly used in households to power appliances like air conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machines.
From Chapter 1:
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