charge, electrical

A fundamental property of matter . Protons and the nuclei of atoms have a positive charge; electrons have a negative charge; neutrons have no charge. Normally, each atom has as many protons as it has electrons and thus has no net electrical charge; in other words, it is neutral. Charged substances have an imbalance of positive and negative charges, a net charge that exerts a force on other charged substances. Charges that are both positive or both negative repel each other; charges that are different attract.

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"X" rays possess no electrical charge whatever and cannot be deflected by a magnet.

This leads us to believe that there are two kinds of electrification or two kinds of electrical charge.

It has been devised to enable one to obtain a large electrical charge upon a body of convenient size.

By means of friction, many bodies become electrified—that is, have acquired an electrical charge.

Each ion carries a heavy electrical charge, and in this respect differs from an atom or molecule.

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