4.2.1 Electric Charge - Coulombs

Electric charge is a fundamental property of matter. It exists in two forms: positive and negative. These charges attract or repel each other.

Measuring Electric Charge

The amount of electric charge is measured in a unit called the coulomb (symbol: C). The coulomb is the SI unit of electric charge.

The Coulomb

One coulomb is a very large amount of charge. A typical example is that approximately 6.25 x 10¹⁸ electrons have a charge of one coulomb.

Table: Key Information about the Coulomb

Term	Value	Unit
Definition	The SI unit of electric charge.	Coulomb (C)
Approximate Charge of one electron	$ -1.602 \times 10^{-19}$ C	C
Approximate Charge of one proton	$ +1.602 \times 10^{-19}$ C	C

Understanding the concept of the coulomb is crucial for analyzing electrical circuits and phenomena. It allows us to quantify the amount of charge flowing in a circuit.