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GCSE Physics · key term
The overall electric charge of an object after its positive and negative charges are taken together.
Used by OCR
Specification P3.1a, P3.1c · Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher)
The overall charge of a body after its positive and negative charges have been combined.
Revise: ChargeEach positive proton charge is balanced by a negative electron charge, so the body has zero net charge. It is important to say that the charges balance: a neutral body still contains charged particles.
Do not say that a neutral object has no charges. State that its positive and negative charges balance, giving zero net charge.
Use the word “net” when describing the overall charge of a body: equal total positive and negative charge means zero net charge.
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Paper 1, Paper 2
The overall charge remaining when an object has unequal amounts of positive and negative charge.
Revise: Electric chargeRubbing can transfer enough electrons for a large net charge to build up. This can produce a large potential difference and a strong electric field between the charged object and another object, such as a metal conductor.