All Flashcards
What is electric charge?
A fundamental property of matter that can be positive (protons) or negative (electrons).
Define Coulomb (C).
The SI unit of electric charge, used for measuring larger amounts of charge.
Define elementary charge (e).
The magnitude of charge carried by a single proton or electron, equal to 1.6 x 10^-19 C.
What are conductors?
Materials that allow electric charge to move freely through them (e.g., metals).
What are insulators?
Materials that restrict the movement of electric charge (e.g., rubber, plastic).
Define Coulomb's Law.
A law stating that the electrostatic force between two point charges is directly proportional to the product of the magnitudes of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them: F = k * |q1q2| / r^2.
What are the differences between conductors and insulators?
Conductors: Allow charge to move freely, have mobile electrons. | Insulators: Restrict charge movement, electrons are tightly bound.
Compare charging by contact and charging by induction.
Contact: Requires physical touch, results in the same type of charge. | Induction: No physical touch, can result in the opposite type of charge (if grounded).
What are the key differences between conductors and insulators?
Conductors: Allow free movement of charge, typically metals | Insulators: Restrict charge movement, typically rubber, plastic, etc.
Compare and contrast charging by contact and charging by induction.
Contact: Requires physical touch, results in the same charge | Induction: No physical touch, can result in the opposite charge (if grounded)