AP Physics C/Electric Charge

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Fundamentals of Electric Charge[edit | edit source]

  • Intrinsic to fundamental particles
  • 2 types: positive (+), negative (-)

Positive - Lack of electrons Negative - More electrons No charge = Neutral

Same charges repel: + and + or - and - Opposite charges attract: + and -

  • Coulomb: Measurement of the amount of electric charge (similar to moles in chemistry)
Atomic Particle Mass Charge
Neutron 1.675 * 10−27 kg 0 C
Proton 1.673 * 10−27 kg 1.602 * 10−19 C
Electron 9.11 * 10−31 kg -1.602 * 10−19 C

Atomic Notation[edit | edit source]

  • A = Atomic mass = # protons + # neutrons
  • Z = Atomic Number = # protons
  • E = element symbol (like U for Uranium)