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Conservation of Charge

Definition

The principle that states that the total electric charge in a closed system remains constant over time.

Analogy

Imagine a jar filled with marbles. If you add or remove marbles from the jar, the total number of marbles will change. However, if you have a closed jar where no marbles can enter or leave, the total number of marbles inside will always remain the same. Similarly, in a closed system, like an electrical circuit, the total amount of charge remains constant.

Related terms

Electric Current: The flow of electric charge through a conductor.

Coulomb's Law: Describes the force between two charged objects based on their charges and distance.

Conservation Laws: Principles that state certain quantities (such as charge) are conserved and do not change over time.



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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.