The smallest unit of electric charge is what?

AI Thread Summary
The smallest unit of electric charge is represented by the symbol q, specifically the charge of an electron, which is approximately 1.6 x 10^-19 coulombs. Electric charge occurs through the transfer of electrons, which can only be transferred in whole numbers, not fractions. Therefore, the total charge of an object can be calculated as n times the charge of an electron, where n is an integer. This fundamental concept underpins the quantization of electric charge in physics. Understanding this helps clarify the nature of electric charge and its discrete units.
pinkyjoshi65
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what does this mean??

"a smallest unit of electric charge of which
other units are multiples"

The smallest unit of electric charge is q. i don't understand the rest..
 
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Charging of anybody is due to the transfer of electrons. And the electrons can be transferred in whole numbers, not in fraction. Hence smallest unit of charge is the chare on electron, and that is equal to 1.6x10^-19 C. Charge on anybody is given by n*e = n*1.6x10^-19C.
 

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