Final answer:
An object is negatively charged when it has more electrons than protons, positively charged when it has fewer electrons, and neutral when the electron and proton count are equal. The basic charge of an electron or proton is 1.60×10-19 C. Most everyday objects are neutral, with equal numbers of protons and electrons.
Step-by-step explanation:
An object that’s negatively charged has more electrons than protons. An object that’s positively charged has fewer electrons than protons. An object that’s electrically neutral has the same number of electrons and protons.
The magnitude of the basic charge of both electrons and protons is 1.60×10-19 coulombs (C). When an atom has more electrons than protons, it carries a negative charge, whereas an atom with fewer electrons than protons carries a positive charge. These charged atoms are known as ions. In contrast, atoms that have the same number of protons and electrons are electrically neutral because the positive and negative charges balance out.
It is important to note that most objects are normally neutral, meaning they have no net charge because their numbers of protons and electrons are equal. However, when an object gains or loses electrons, it becomes charged, leading to the phenomena of static electricity or electrostatic forces.