Electric Charges

Electric charges are fundamental properties of matter that cause it to experience an electric force. There are two types of charges: positive and negative. Like charges repel each other, while opposite charges attract. These interactions are crucial in electrostatics, the study of stationary electric charges. When objects gain or lose electrons, they become charged. This can lead to phenomena like static electricity, where, for example, rubbing a balloon on your hair transfers electrons, causing the balloon to stick to surfaces or attract small bits of paper. Understanding electric charges helps explain many everyday electrical behaviors.