Electric Charge:
A fundamental intrinsic property of matter that gives rise to the attractions and repulsions between electrons and protons.

Coulomb:
The typical unit for measuring charge; a set number of electrons.  1 Coulomb = 6.25x1018 electrons

Charging by Contact:
The transfer of electric charge from one object to another by simple contact or conduction.

Charging by Induction:
Redistribution or charging of an object by bringing a charged item in close proximity to, but not touching, an uncharged object.

Coulomb’s Law:
Mathematical relationship between electric force, charge, and distance.  The electric force varies directly with the product of the charges, and inversedly to the square of the distance between the charges.

Polarization:
Separation or alignment of the charges in a neutral body so that like charges are grouped together, resulting in a positive and a negative region.

Electric Field:
A force field that fills the space near any charge. 

Electric Potential:
The ratio of electric potential energy to electric charge at a particular spot in an electric field.  It is often referred to as voltage since it is measured in volts.

Equipotential Line: 
A line where all points have an equal electric potential, or voltage.

Electrostatics describes the state of non moving charges.  These charges originate from electron movement.  Electrons may be added or removed from some object, but overall charge amount must be conserved.  Like charges will repel, and opposite charges attract.  This force can be calculated using Coulomb’s law.  The scope of this electric force can be shown or visualized with an electric field.  Electric potential is a quantity that describes the amount of electric potential energy per amount of charge. 

Specific Tutorial Features:
• Animation of the concept of charging by induction; shows the movement of charges.
• Animation of the polarization of a neutral object; shows the movement of charges.

Series Features:
• Concept map showing inter-connections of new concepts in this tutorial and those previously introduced.
• Definition slides introduce terms as they are needed.
• Visual representation of concepts
• Animated examples—worked out step by step
• A concise summary is given at the conclusion of the tutorial.

The nature of electric charge

Charged particles
Charge movement

Charging by contact
Charging by induction

Electric Forces

Coulomb’s law

Formula
Examples

Electric Fields
Polarization

Electric Potential

Definition
Units
Diagram
Formula