Electric Charge- why is the electron the negative

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on why electrons are assigned a negative charge instead of a positive one, highlighting that this convention was established before the electron was discovered, largely due to Benjamin Franklin's influence. It suggests that changing this convention could simplify understanding of electronics, as it would align the direction of electron flow with positive charge. However, some argue that the sign of the majority charge carrier is not crucial for grasping the fundamentals of electricity. The conversation also touches on the tendency to adhere to conventions for their own sake, similar to the reluctance to adopt the metric system in the U.S. Ultimately, the choice of charge sign is seen as arbitrary and not fundamentally impacting the study of electricity.
coffeebird
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Why wasn't the electron fixed with the 'positive' value? wouldn't that simplify a lot of issues with electronics problems, i mean, that way things wouldn't have to be all backwards. like, wherever the electrons go is becoming more negative, and whichever direction they are leaving is more positive...etc...
 
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Because the convention was established before the electron was discovered. There was a 50-50 chance of getting it right.
 
Blame Benjamin Franklin.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
Because the convention was established before the electron was discovered. There was a 50-50 chance of getting it right.


that's what i was thinking...and people do that a lot, just stick with a convention for its own sake ( like not switching to the metric system in the US)
 
I think it's important to realize that one choice of sign is no more "right" than another.
The sign of the majority charge carrier is an insignificant factor in understanding 'electricity'. Anyone who thinks it is of ant consequencr, can't be appreciating the topic in any depth.
 

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