What is a Point Charge and How Does it Work?

AI Thread Summary
A point charge is defined as an electric charge concentrated at a single point in space, allowing for simplified calculations using Coulomb's law. This idealized concept contrasts with charges that are distributed over a volume or surface. Point charges facilitate basic electrostatic equations by eliminating the complexities associated with charge distribution. In practical applications, they are treated as tiny charged bodies where all charge is concentrated at one location. Understanding point charges is essential for foundational concepts in electrostatics.
girlzrule786
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What is a point charge? I have read wikipedia but m not much satisfied... please can you explain me in your own words? thanks
 
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welcome to pf!

hi girlzrule786! welcome to pf! :smile:

a point charge is a charge at a single point, as opposed to the same charge distributed over a sphere

(so eg we can use coulomb's law directly, instead of having to integrate over a volume)
 
@ tiny tim... ohh! thanks :smile:
 
A point charge is an charged entity which occupies a minute point which is an ideal case.For practical purposes we consider it is a tiny charged body and the charge at a single point where all the charge is concentrated .
we use point charges in the basic derivations of electrostatic equations which eliminates the complication of distribution and concentration of charge over the charged body.
 

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