Basic Properties of Electric Charge
1. Additive Nature of Charge: The net charge on a body is the vector sum of all the charges distributed in whole of the body in different parts.
If q1, q2, ………. qn are the charges on a body then net charge q = q1 + q2 + …. + qn
Example A system containing +2q, -3q and +8q,
Total charge q = +5q.
2. Conservation of Charge: The net charge on a system remains constant, it may move in a different part of the system. A charge can neither be created nor can be destroyed.
e.g, Pair production = electron (-e) + proton (+e)
3. Quantization of Charge: The net charge on a body is integral multiple of basic charge e.
So q = +-e +-2e +- 3e +- ……