The electrons and protons within an atom carry the majority of the electric charge. Although these labels are completely arbitrary, electrons are said to carry negative charge and protons are said to carry positive charge (more on that later). According to the University of Georgia‘s HyperPhysics website, protons and electrons attract each other, serving as the archetype of the adage “opposites attract.” Two protons, on the other hand, repel each other, as do two electrons.
The movement of protons and electrons produces an electric field, which exerts a force known as the Coulomb force, which radiates in all directions. According to Serif Uran, a physics professor at Pittsburg State University, the electric field radiates outward from a charged particle in the same way that light does from a light bulb. The strength of the electric field decreases as the square of the distance from the source (1/r2), just like the brightness of the light. When you move twice as far away, the field’s strength drops to one-fourth, and when you move three times as far away, the field drops to one-ninth.
Protons are not nearly as free to move as electrons because they are generally confined to the nuclei embedded within atoms. As a result, when we talk about electric charge, we almost always mean an electron surplus or deficit. An electric current is created when there is a charge imbalance and electrons can flow.
Static electricity is caused by a localized and persistent deficit or surplus of electrons in an object.
A sudden discharge of static electricity, such as a lightning bolt or the spark between your finger and a grounded light switch plate; a steady flow of direct current (DC) from a battery or solar cell; or an oscillating current, such as that from an alternating-current (AC) generator, a radio transmitter, or an audio amplifier, are all examples of current.