Question
Question: Related to charges, what does \({{q}_{1}}+{{q}_{2}}=0\) represent?...
Related to charges, what does q1+q2=0 represent?
Solution
A charge is a physical quantity that is responsible for the electrostatic force between two particles. There exist two types of charges with different natures. One is called positive charge and the other is called negative charge. With this data you can figure out the above question.
Complete answer:
Let us first understand what a charge is and what its properties are. A charge is a physical quantity that is responsible for the electrostatic force between two particles. When charges are in motion, they give rise to electric current and the electric current produces magnetic fields in the surrounding. This magnetic field is responsible for magnetic force on other current carrying conductors or magnets.
In our universe, there exist two types of charges with different natures. One is called positive charge and the other is called negative charge. This means that a charge can be either positive or negative. Therefore, if we have a system of two charges of opposite natures (one positive and one negative) with equal magnitude then the net or total charge of the system is zero. I.e. qnet=q+(−q)=0.
Therefore, q1+q2=0 means that q1=−q2.
i.e. q1 and q2 are two charges of opposite nature but equal in magnitudes.
Note: The nature of charges does matter for the nature of the electrostatic force between two charges. If the charges are of the same nature (either both positive or both negative), then there is a force repulsion between the two. If the charges of opposite nature (one positive and the other negative), then there is a force attraction between the two. Also note that for an electrostatic force to exist between two particles, both the particles must be charged. If one of the particles is neutral in charge then it will not contribute to the electrostatic force.