Electric Charge (CIE IGCSE Physics: Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award))

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Katie M

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Katie M

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Positive & negative charges

  • There are two types of electric charge: positive and negative
  • Inside an atom, there are
    • negatively charged electrons
    • positively charged protons
    • neutral (no charge) neutrons
  • Atoms contain equal numbers of protons and electrons as they have equal and opposite charges
  • These charges cancel out so the overall charge of an atom is zero

Structure of an atom

Nucleus and electrons, downloadable IGCSE & GCSE Physics revision notes

The number of negative electrons in an atom balances the number of positive protons

Attraction and repulsion

  • When two charges are close together, they exert a force on each other, this could be:
    • Attractive (the objects get closer together)
    • Repulsive (the objects move further apart)

Electric forces between charges

Attraction and Repulsion

Opposite charges attract, like charges repel

  • Whether two objects attract or repel depends on their charge
    • If the charges are the opposite, they will attract
    • If the charges are the same, they will repel

Attraction or repulsion summary table

Charge of object 1 Charge of object 2 Attract or repel?
positive positive repel
positive negative attract
negative positive attract
negative negative repel

 

  • The table shows that:
    • Positive charges repel other positive charges and attract negative charges
    • Negative charges repel other negative charges and attract positive charges

Extended tier only

  • Electric charge is measured in units called coulombs (C)

Examiner Tip

Remember the saying “opposites attract” when answering questions about forces between charged particles.

While electrostatic forces share many similarities with magnetic forces, they are different phenomena – do not confuse the two!

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Katie M

Author: Katie M

Expertise: Physics

Katie has always been passionate about the sciences, and completed a degree in Astrophysics at Sheffield University. She decided that she wanted to inspire other young people, so moved to Bristol to complete a PGCE in Secondary Science. She particularly loves creating fun and absorbing materials to help students achieve their exam potential.