Does Everything have a charge?

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SUMMARY

This discussion clarifies the concept of electric charge, emphasizing that while all matter consists of charged particles, the net charge of most objects, including humans, is neutral. The conversation highlights that atoms are composed of protons (positive charge), electrons (negative charge), and neutrons (neutral charge), resulting in a net charge of zero when positive and negative charges balance. The participants confirm that while everything has a charge at the particle level, the overall charge can be neutral, positive, or negative depending on the balance of these particles.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts, including atoms and subatomic particles.
  • Familiarity with electric charge and its properties.
  • Knowledge of electromagnetic fields and their effects on matter.
  • Basic comprehension of positive and negative charges.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties of electromagnetic fields and their interactions with charged particles.
  • Explore the differences between ions and neutral atoms in chemistry.
  • Learn about the role of neutrons in atomic structure and stability.
  • Investigate the concept of net charge and its implications in various physical systems.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for students of physics, educators explaining fundamental concepts of charge, and anyone interested in the basic principles of electromagnetism and atomic structure.

Raza
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Hello,
I was trying to understand what light really is in definition and that means that I have to understand more basic stuff. I am trying to figure out what charge is and what is the difference between energy and charge? On Wikipedia, I read that "Electric charge is the physical property of matter that causes it to experience a force when placed in an electromagnetic field." So does that mean that everything has a charge?

Also, any website that explains the terms from a theoretical perspective? I took Physics 12 in high school so I know a little bit about the concepts. What is a electromagnetic field? etc...

Thanks
 
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Raza said:
So does that mean that everything has a charge?

Neutrons have neutral charge.
 
moriheru said:
Neutrons have neutral charge.
Do you and I have a charge?
 
You are made up of atoms(as you may have noticed,please tell me how if you did) and atoms are inthem selves nuetral only ions charged atoms that have lost or gained electrons are charged. So no you are not charged, as long as you don't rubb your selve on elctric poles all day.
 
moriheru said:
You are made up of atoms(as you may have noticed,please tell me how if you did) and atoms are inthem selves nuetral only ions charged atoms that have lost or gained electrons are charged. So no you are not charged, as long as you don't rubb your selve on elctric poles all day.
So we all have electrical charge? and so does every object in the world, but it can be either positive or negative, or sum up to 0? In the Wikipedia, it says that there's only two types of charges; positive or negative.
 
No we do not we have no charge we are neutral.
 
Every object has a net charge. That net charge can be positive, negative or zero. If the total quantity of positive charge (e.g. from protons or from positive ions) is equal to the total quantity of negative charge (e.g. from electrons or from negative ions) then the net charge will be zero.

For most purposes, the net charge of a human being is not distinguishable from zero.
 
Last edited:
What, exactly, do you mean by "have a charge". In your original post, you quoted "Electric charge is the physical property of matter that causes it to experience a force when placed in an electromagnetic field." There are many things that do NOT "experience a force when placed in an electromagnetic field"! You are sitting in an "electromagnetic field" right now. Do you experience a force from it?

Many of the elementary particles that make up our bodies are neutral. And while there exist charged particles (electrons and neutrons), in molecules, there must be equal numbers so that the overall charge is neutral.
 
neutrinos have no charge
 
  • #10
Raza said:
Do you and I have a charge?
We are all made up of atoms.every atom is made up of protons, electrons and neutrons. But the net charge is zero.you are made up of charged particles. But the positive and negative charge cancels out.
 

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