Understanding Charge: Types, Properties, and Mysteries Explained

[davon806]

Homework Statement

Charge is a physical property of matter.There are 2 types of charges,positive and negative.
However,what is charge?
We can see the effect of charge simply by taking a rod of hard rubber and rub it with fur.
But it appears that no one is able to define what exactly charge is.
Why did some subatomic particles possesses charges?Why does charge exists?
In addition,why there are only 2 types of charges,but not more?
Those questions really really confused me,can someone please explain them to me :( ?
Thx everyone.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

 

[mfb]

However,what is charge?

A property of particles.

Physics cannot answer "what" something is, that is philosophy. Physics gives a way to describe how something will behave.

 

[davon806]

Ok,I will try to accept it :O/,thx
There is still a question:
Could physics explain why 2 charged object will exert a force on each other?What causes them either to repel or attract?

 

[mfb]

Physics cannot explain "why" on a fundamental level. It can be described with very abstract theories (here: quantum electrodynamics), but those theories are always made to match the observations (like attracting and repelling charges).

 

[Emilyjoint]

A philisophical interjection !...Physics can 'answer' what...it does not require an answer, it is a description of observations.
Physics sets out to explain 'HOW' things happen.
Physics cannot answer 'WHY'... it is a bad question (God wills it to be so is the best answer)