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Introduction

In reference to the physics and chemistry of electricity, charge, or more specifically, electric charge—a fundamental property of matter (cf. mass)—renders matter capable of creating and reacting to a force of attraction or repulsion to spatially separate matter that likewise manifests that property of electric charge. Whatever constitutes electric charge constitutes it in two separate varieties, or polarities, assigned the names 'positive' and 'negative', or 'plus' and 'minus'. The force of attraction between electrically charged items of matter arises between oppositely-charged items, whereas the force of repulsion arises between like-charged items.

Familiar examples of positively charged matter are protons, constituents of the nuclei of atoms, and familiar examples of negatively charged matter are electrons, constituents of atoms that surround their nuclei.

References