- #1
matangi7
- 7
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My textbook states:
"The magnitude of charge of the electron or proton is a natural unit of charge."
and then has an explanation that follows. It states, "...The charge on any macroscopic body is always either zero or an integer multiple (negative or positive) of the electron charge."
Here is what I understand:
This "electron charge" that is being referred to is the elementary charge e.
e is equivalent to 1.602 x 10^(-19) coulombs.
My question: If the charge on a body has to be an integer multiple of the elementary charge e, then why is it possible to have values like 1 coulomb, when 1 is not divisible by 1.602 x 10^(-19) without having a remainder/ decimal/ non-integer?
Please let me know if something I have understood is wrong. Thanks!
"The magnitude of charge of the electron or proton is a natural unit of charge."
and then has an explanation that follows. It states, "...The charge on any macroscopic body is always either zero or an integer multiple (negative or positive) of the electron charge."
Here is what I understand:
This "electron charge" that is being referred to is the elementary charge e.
e is equivalent to 1.602 x 10^(-19) coulombs.
My question: If the charge on a body has to be an integer multiple of the elementary charge e, then why is it possible to have values like 1 coulomb, when 1 is not divisible by 1.602 x 10^(-19) without having a remainder/ decimal/ non-integer?
Please let me know if something I have understood is wrong. Thanks!