Several theories have been
developed to explain the nature of electricity. The modern electron
theory of matter, propounded by scientists Sir Earnest Rutherford and
Niel Bohr considers every matter as electrical in nature. According to
this atomic theory, every element is made up of atoms which are neutral
in nature. The atom contains particles of electricity called electrons
and protons. The number of electrons in an atom is equal to the number
of protons.
The nucleus of an atom
contains protons and neutrons. The neutrons carry no charge. The protons
carry positive charge. The electrons revolve round the nucleus in
elliptical orbits like the planets around the sun. The electrons carry
negative charge. Since there are equal number of protons and electrons
in an atom, an atom is basically neutral in nature.
If from a body consisting
of neutral atoms, some electrons are removed, there will be a deficit of
electrons in the body, and the body will attain positive charge. If
neutral atoms of a body are supplied some extra electrons, the body will
attain negative charge. Thus, we can say that the deficit or excess of
electrons in a body is called charge.
Charge of an electron is very small. Coulomb is the unit of charge. The charge of an electron is only 1.602 × 10–19 Coulomb (C). Thus, we can say that the number of electrons per Coulomb is the reciprocal of 1.602 × 10–19 which equals approx. 6.28 × 1018 electrons. Therefore, charge of 6.28 × 1018
electrons is equal to 1C. When we say that a body has a positive charge
of 1C, it is understood that the body has a deficit of 6.28 × 1018 electrons.
Any charge is an example of
static electricity because the electrons or protons are not in motion.
You must have seen the effect of charged particles when you comb your
hair with a plastic comb, the comb attracts some of your hair. The work
of combing causes friction, producing charge of extra electrons and
excess protons causing attraction.
Charge in motion is called
electric current. Any charge has the potential of doing work, i.e., of
moving another charge either by attraction or by repulsion. A charge is
the result of separating electrons and protons. The charge of electrons
or protons has potential because it likes to return back the work that
was done to produce it.
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