An electrically charged particle refers to a fundamental unit of matter that possesses an electric charge. It is an entity that has gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in its state of being electrically charged. These particles can take different forms depending on their charge, namely positive or negative.
Positively charged particles, also known as cations, have lost electrons from their atomic structure, leading to an excess of positive charge. Examples of positively charged particles include protons, which are found in the nucleus of an atom, and positively charged ions in a solution.
On the other hand, negatively charged particles, called anions, have gained extra electrons, resulting in an excess of negative charge. Common examples of negatively charged particles are electrons, which orbit the nucleus of an atom, and negatively charged ions in a solution.
Electrically charged particles play a crucial role in electrical phenomena and electromagnetic interactions. The presence of these charged particles allows for the transmission and conduction of electric current through materials. Additionally, electrically charged particles interact with electric and magnetic fields, exhibiting forces of attraction and repulsion. The study of electrically charged particles forms the foundation of electrostatics, electric circuits, and numerous other branches of physics and engineering.
