Understanding Electric Charge: Is it Just Electrons?

AI Thread Summary
Electric charge is not solely comprised of electrons; it can also include positively charged particles like protons. A coulomb represents the charge of approximately 6 x 10^18 elementary charges, which can be either negative or positive. The definition of a coulomb predates the discovery of electrons, indicating that electric charge encompasses more than just these particles. In modern physics, electric charges are linked to a variety of particles that interact with electromagnetic fields. Understanding electric charge requires recognizing this broader spectrum of charged particles.
Ahsan123
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I was reading my physics books. And then a question came across my mind.
Now here the the definition of coulomb. Electric charge measured in units of coulombs. It takes about 6*10^18 electrons.

So the question is did the electric charge only consists of electrons.
 
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Any charge carrier/charged particle.
 
Ahsan123 said:
So the question is did the electric charge only consists of electrons.
No, it doesn't have to be electrons. A Coulomb equals the magnitude of the charge on that many elementary charges, which may be negative (like electrons) or positive (like protons).
 
When the unit is defined, the electrons were not even discovered. Therefore, it highly likely not. In fact, in modern physics, electric charges are associated with particles that interact with EM fields which have a whole family of them.
 
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