How to Define Electric Charge?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the historical definition of electric charge and its relationship to electric current. Participants explore how electric charge was defined and measured in the past, as well as the implications of these definitions in the context of physics history.

Discussion Character

  • Historical
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the historical order of defining electric charge and electric current, questioning how electric current was measured in earlier times.
  • Another participant states that the concept of electric charge predates electric current, noting that the unit of charge (coulomb) is defined in terms of the unit of current (ampere) for practical measurement reasons.
  • It is suggested that measuring current via magnetic force is more precise than measuring charge via electric force.
  • A participant mentions a book titled "The Origin of Fields," which discusses the history of electricity and magnetism.
  • There is a reiteration of the idea that charge was initially defined by the forces between equal unit charges.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the historical precedence of electric charge over electric current and the practical reasons for defining charge in terms of current. However, the discussion does not reach a consensus on the specifics of how these definitions were established or the methods of measurement used historically.

Contextual Notes

Participants express interest in the historical context of physics concepts, indicating a potential gap in understanding the evolution of definitions and measurements in the field.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for those interested in the history of physics, particularly in understanding the development of concepts related to electric charge and current.

Behrooz
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hello,every one
Could anyone tell me the historical order of the demodulation of these quantities?
My question is how could it the el. charge been defined(ocording to the el. current?but how?were they able to measure el. currrent in that time?)
thanks,
PS,could u please introduce me some books that about the history of physics ; answering such qustions like how is i.e energy defind,what caused the concept of energy...etc.
 
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The concept of electric charge pre-dates the concept of electric current. We define the unit of charge (coulomb) in terms of the unit of current (ampere) for practical reasons. It's easier to measure current precisely by way of the magnetic force, than it is to measure charge precisely by way of the electric force.
 
someone wrote a book called the origin of fields where the author goes into the history of electricity and magnetism.
 
jtbell said:
The concept of electric charge pre-dates the concept of electric current. We define the unit of charge (coulomb) in terms of the unit of current (ampere) for practical reasons. It's easier to measure current precisely by way of the magnetic force, than it is to measure charge precisely by way of the electric force.

so you mean that charge was firs defined by force,when we have to equal,unit charges we will have a special force
 
dipstik said:
someone wrote a book called the origin of fields where the author goes into the history of electricity and magnetism.

thanks for the book:origin of fields:
ill be grateful if u itroduce me such books in every field of physics and math
 

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