Understanding Charge: Types, Properties, and Mysteries Explained

  • Thread starter Thread starter davon806
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Charge
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of electric charge, its types, properties, and the fundamental questions surrounding its existence and behavior. Participants express confusion about the nature of charge, particularly why it exists and why there are only two types of charge.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants attempt to define charge and question its fundamental nature, exploring whether physics can explain the reasons behind the behavior of charged objects, such as attraction and repulsion.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes various perspectives on the limitations of physics in addressing the "why" of charge, with some participants suggesting that physics focuses on describing behavior rather than providing fundamental explanations. There is an acknowledgment of philosophical dimensions to the questions raised.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the distinction between the descriptive nature of physics and philosophical inquiries, indicating a tension between scientific explanation and deeper existential questions about charge.

davon806
Messages
147
Reaction score
1

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

 
Physics news on Phys.org
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.
 
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?
 
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).
 
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)
 

Similar threads

Calculate the electric field due to a line of charge of finite length
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Surface charge on a conductor due to a charged rod 'q'
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
The electric field of a piecewise uniform 1D charge distribution
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Electric field acting on a negative test charge due to semicircular rod
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
What is the induced magnetic force on this closed current loop?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Calculate Electric Potential from Non-uniform Linear Charge
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
7K
Understanding Electrostatics: Explaining Charge Separation in a Physics Lab"
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
How Does Charge Movement Affect Electric Potential and Kinetic Energy?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
6K
Metal sphere drawn and then repelled by charged rod
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
8K
Deriving expression for potential of a point charge
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K