Answer:
is an integer multiple of the charge on one electron
Step-by-step explanation:
To address the concept of electric charge quantization, it's essential to understand that this principle dictates how electric charges can exist and interact in nature. Now, let's break down each statement in the context of charge quantization:
- May occur only in limited amounts: This is true to an extent. Quantization of charge implies that charge comes in discrete packets rather than being continuously variable. However, the term "limited amounts" could be misleading, as theoretically, there's no upper limit to the amount of charge an object can have, as long as it is in multiples of the fundamental charge unit.
- Is an integer multiple of the charge on one electron: This is a core aspect of charge quantization. The fundamental unit of charge is the charge of one electron (or its positive counterpart, the proton). All observable charges are integer multiples of this elementary charge. This means you cannot have a charge that is, for example, 1.5 times the electron's charge.
- Can be neither created nor destroyed: This statement relates more to the conservation of charge rather than its quantization. Charge conservation means that the total charge in an isolated system remains constant. It doesn't directly address the quantized nature of charge.
- Can be positive or negative: This is a characteristic of charge but not specific to quantization. Charges can indeed be positive (like protons) or negative (like electrons), and these opposite charges interact with each other. However, the sign of the charge doesn't relate to the fact that charge is quantized.
- Can interact with neighboring charges: This is a fundamental property of electric charges (Coulomb's Law), describing how they exert forces on each other. While it's a crucial aspect of how charges behave, it doesn't directly pertain to the concept of quantization.
In conclusion, the quantization of electric charge signifies that the charge present on any object is a multiple (in whole numbers) of the charge carried by a single electron. Thus, the second option is correct, is an integer multiple of the charge on one electron.