Electricity and Magnetism Notes (In Progress)

There are two kinds of charge: positive and negative.

Electric charge is conserved. It cannot be created or conserved.

The total charge of the universe is believed to be zero (there is exactly as much positive charge as negative).

Methods of charging:

• Charging by Friction: When two objects are rubbed together, frictional forces remove electrons from one object and give them to the other object. The object that loses electrons may develop a positive charge, while the one that gains electrons may become negative.
• Charging by Induction: An object gains a charge without actually making contact with another charged object. For example, a negatively charged rod may repel electrons from a nearby conductor. The electrons from the conductor would flow into the earth, leaving the conductor positively charged.