Understanding Electric Charge
Electric charge is a fundamental property of matter, existing in two types: positive and negative. Electrons carry a negative charge, while protons carry a positive charge. The charge of an electron is approximately -1.6 x 10^-19 coulombs.
Calculating the Number of Electrons
To find out how many electrons constitute a specific charge, we can use the formula:
- Charge (Q) = Number of Electrons (n) x Charge of One Electron (e)
In this case, we have:
- Q = -16 µC (microcoulombs)
- e = -1.6 x 10^-19 C
First, convert microcoulombs to coulombs:
- 16 µC = 16 x 10^-6 C
Now, we can rearrange the formula to solve for the number of electrons:
- n = Q / e
Substituting the values:
- n = (16 x 10^-6 C) / (1.6 x 10^-19 C)
Performing the calculation gives:
- n = 1 x 10^13 electrons
Conclusion
Thus, an electric charge of -16 µC corresponds to approximately 1 trillion (1 x 10^13) electrons.
Key Points to Remember
- Electric charge is a property of particles like electrons and protons.
- Electrons have a charge of -1.6 x 10^-19 coulombs.
- To find the number of electrons from a charge, divide the total charge by the charge of one electron.
- A charge of -16 µC corresponds to around 1 trillion electrons.

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