What is the relation between positive and negative charges?

In summary: The difference between positive and negative charges is that they behave differently according to the rules of electric charge. In summary, electric charge is a property of fundamental particles that can be either positive or negative. The presence or absence of this property determines whether an object has a net positive or negative charge. In a conductor, electrons are free to move and create an electric current, while protons remain fixed. The movement of electrons creates the appearance of positive charges moving, but it is actually the absence of electrons that is moving.
  • #1
abi.ayan
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Is it the absence and presence of an electrical fluid called as positive and negative charges?
 
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  • #2
hi abi.ayan! welcome to pf! :smile:

if you want to think in terms of fluid, you can regard the electric field as a fluid which obeys conservation of mass except at the position of electric charges …

then the positive charges are sources, and the negative charges are sinks :wink:
 
  • #3
what do mean by sources and sink?I don't have much knowledge in terms related to this field.so could you explain it in simple terms??
 
  • #4
A source is a location/object out of which the 'fluid' will appear to come out of. A sink is just the opposite - it is where the 'fluid' appears to go and vanish. So if you were in a bathroom, the tap would be your source, and the drain your sink. Similarly, field lines emerge from positive charges, so they are called sources, and vice versa for negative charges.
 
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  • #5
In a neutral atom the charge of the electron and proton are equal. The atoms of many materials are able to gain and loose electrons giving them a net charge. If the material gains electrons it has a net negative charge. If it looses electrons it has a net positive charge due to excess number of protons.

In a conductor Electrons are free to move from atom to atom. The protons are fixed in place. The protons appear to move but it's really the "absence of electrons" that is moving.
 
  • #6
abi.ayan said:
Is it the absence and presence of an electrical fluid called as positive and negative charges?

Some fundamental particles have a property that we call electric charge. The rules that this property seems to obey tell us that there are two different "types" of charges, which we have labeled as positive and negative. According to these rules, two similar charges will repel each other while two opposite charges will attract.

The relation between positive and negative charges is simply that both are types of electric charge. Electric charge is only one of many different properties that particles have. For example, mass and spin are also properties of particles.
 

What is the relation between positive and negative charges?

The relationship between positive and negative charges is known as the principle of electrical attraction and repulsion. This principle states that opposite charges attract each other, while like charges repel each other.

How do positive and negative charges interact with each other?

Positive and negative charges interact through the exchange of particles known as electrons. When two objects with different charges are brought close together, the positive charges of one object will attract the negative charges of the other object, causing the two objects to be pulled towards each other.

Can positive and negative charges cancel each other out?

Yes, positive and negative charges can cancel each other out. This happens when an equal amount of positive and negative charges are present in an object, resulting in a net charge of zero.

What is the difference between positive and negative charges?

The main difference between positive and negative charges is their polarity. Positive charges have a higher concentration of protons, while negative charges have a higher concentration of electrons. Additionally, positive charges are attracted to negative charges, while like charges repel each other.

How do positive and negative charges affect electric fields?

Positive and negative charges are responsible for creating electric fields. Positive charges create outward electric fields, while negative charges create inward electric fields. These electric fields are what allow for the attraction and repulsion between charged objects.

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