In the context of electric charge, what does it mean for an object to have a 'negative' charge?
Understand the Problem
The question explores the fundamental concept of electric charge, specifically what it signifies for an object to possess a 'negative' charge. It requires understanding the relationship between protons, electrons, and the overall charge of an object.
Answer
It means the object has more electrons than protons.
A negatively charged object has an excess of electrons compared to the number of protons. Electrons carry a negative charge, and when an object gains more electrons than it has protons, it exhibits a net negative charge.
Answer for screen readers
A negatively charged object has an excess of electrons compared to the number of protons. Electrons carry a negative charge, and when an object gains more electrons than it has protons, it exhibits a net negative charge.
More Information
The concept of positive and negative charges was first introduced by Benjamin Franklin. It's a convention used to describe the nature of electric charge.
Tips
A common mistake is to think that a negatively charged object has only electrons. It still contains protons, but the number of electrons outweighs the number of protons.
Sources
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