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A proton and an electron are compared for the amount of charge each one carries. How do their charges compare?
AProton's magnitude is larger, and it is positive
BElectron's magnitude is larger, and it is negative
CEqual magnitude, proton positive and electron negative
DEqual magnitude, proton negative and electron positive
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Equal magnitude, proton positive and electron negative
1. The proton and the electron carry the same size of charge as each other.
2. That charge is exactly opposite in sign between the two particles.
3. By convention the proton's charge is called positive and the electron's charge is called negative.
4. This rules out any option that gives the two particles unequal magnitudes, and it rules out swapping which particle is positive.
_Source: OpenStax Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 18 "Static Electricity", section Electric Charge_
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