Electric charge conservation is a fundamental principle of physics that states the total electric charge in an isolated system remains constant over time, regardless of any internal changes that take place. This principle implies that charge can neither be created nor destroyed, only transferred from one body to another.

Electric Charge Conservation

Fundamental principle of physics

Total electric charge

An isolated system is a physical system that does not exchange matter or energy with its surroundings, making it an idealized concept in thermodynamics. In reality, perfectly isolated systems do not exist, but the concept is useful for simplifying and analyzing complex systems by assuming no external interactions.

Isolated System

Internal changes

Charge can neither be created nor destroyed

Charge transfer refers to the process where an electron moves from a donor molecule or atom to an acceptor, leading to a redistribution of charge that can alter the electronic properties of materials. This phenomenon is crucial in fields like photovoltaics, molecular electronics, and biological systems, where it influences energy transfer and chemical reactivity.

Concepts

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