Electric Charge
Definition
The property of matter that causes electric forces — positive and negative charges attract, like charges repel.
Symbol: · Unit: coulomb (C)
Technical definition
A fundamental conserved property of particles and the source of electromagnetic fields. Charge is quantized in units of the elementary charge e = 1.602×10⁻¹⁹ C, and the net charge of an isolated system is always conserved.
Example
Rub a balloon on your hair and it picks up extra electrons — a net negative charge of perhaps a microcoulomb — enough to make the balloon stick to a wall by attracting opposite charges in the paint.
Charge is not current. Charge (coulombs) is the 'stuff'; current (amperes) is how fast that stuff flows — coulombs per second. A statically charged balloon holds plenty of charge with zero current, while a wire can carry a large current with only a tiny net charge drifting through it at any instant.