Electric Charge (AQA GCSE Physics): Revision Notes

2.4.1 Electric Charge

Nature of Charge

• Positive and Negative Charges:
  • All matter is made up of positive and negative charges. In a neutral object, the number of positive charges (protons) equals the number of negative charges (electrons), resulting in no overall charge.
• The behaviour of Charges:
  • Like charges repel each other, while opposite charges attract. This is why, for example, two positively charged objects will push away from each other, while a positively charged object and a negatively charged object will pull towards each other.

Conductors vs. Insulators

• Insulators:
  • Insulating materials do not conduct electricity because their electrons are tightly bound and cannot move freely through the material. This prevents the flow of electrical current.
• Conductors:
  • Conductors, on the other hand, allow electricity to flow through them easily. This is because their electrons are delocalised, meaning they are not fixed to any particular atom and can move freely throughout the material, enabling the flow of electrical current.