Should positive and negative charge be termed opposites?

So, in summary, the terms "positive" and "negative" can be considered opposites in terms of charge, but could also be seen as complimentary depending on perspective.
  • #1
mee
213
1
Should positive and negative charge be termed opposites? Maybe they are merely complimentary and this is why they seek each other and are not opposites?
 
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  • #2
No, an electron and proton have specific charges that can be expressed numerically as opposites of each other.
 
  • #3
What about if we assume that an inherent changing magnetic field is producing an electric field, as it were, the proton charge, then by conservation of charge there must be a negative corresponding charge; just in this sense, IMHO, they can be complimentary
Regards
EP
mee said:
Should positive and negative charge be termed opposites? Maybe they are merely complimentary and this is why they seek each other and are not opposites?
 
  • #4
I'm sure "opposite" is used subjectively, since they are not truly opposite in every aspect. "Charge" is the more descriptive word. "Complementary" is also subjective.

It's all in your point of view. If you use either in conjunction with "charge", you probably couldn't go wrong.
 

FAQ: Should positive and negative charge be termed opposites?

1. Should positive and negative charge always be considered opposites?

Yes, positive and negative charge are always considered opposites because they have opposite effects on each other. Positive charges repel each other, as do negative charges, while positive and negative charges attract one another. This fundamental principle is known as the Law of Electric Charges.

2. Can positive and negative charges ever cancel each other out?

Yes, positive and negative charges can cancel each other out when they have equal magnitudes. This is known as neutralization. For example, if a positive charge with a magnitude of +5 is paired with a negative charge with a magnitude of -5, the resulting charge will be zero. This is because the positive and negative charges are equal and opposite, cancelling each other out.

3. Are positive and negative charges always present in equal amounts?

No, positive and negative charges do not necessarily have to be present in equal amounts. An object can have a positive or negative charge depending on the number of positive or negative particles it contains. For example, an object with an excess of electrons will have a negative charge, while an object with a deficiency of electrons will have a positive charge.

4. What is the difference between a positive and negative charge?

The main difference between a positive and negative charge is the direction in which the charged particles move. Positive charges move towards areas with lower potential energy, while negative charges move towards areas with higher potential energy. Additionally, positive charges and negative charges have opposite effects on each other, as discussed in the Law of Electric Charges.

5. Can a charged object have both positive and negative charges?

No, a charged object can only have either a positive or negative charge. This is because positive and negative charges are caused by the presence of an excess or deficiency of electrons. An object cannot have both an excess and deficiency of electrons at the same time, resulting in only one type of charge.

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