Which term refers to a property of matter that can be positive, negative, or neutral?

Which term refers to a property of matter that can be positive, negative, or neutral?

• A. Friction
• B. Electrostatic charge
• C. Filament bulb
• D. Diode

Answer: (B)

Electrostatic charge describes the property of matter that can have a positive, negative, or neutral state. This happens because objects gain or lose electrons relative to protons. If there are more electrons than protons, the object is negatively charged; if there are fewer electrons, it is positively charged; and if the numbers balance, the object is neutral. This charge is what leads to electric forces between objects, such as attraction to opposite charges and repulsion between like charges. Friction can cause charging by transferring electrons, but the term itself refers to the charged state, not the process. Filament bulbs and diodes are electrical components, not the property describing how matter can be charged.

Electrostatic charge describes the property of matter that can have a positive, negative, or neutral state. This happens because objects gain or lose electrons relative to protons. If there are more electrons than protons, the object is negatively charged; if there are fewer electrons, it is positively charged; and if the numbers balance, the object is neutral. This charge is what leads to electric forces between objects, such as attraction to opposite charges and repulsion between like charges. Friction can cause charging by transferring electrons, but the term itself refers to the charged state, not the process. Filament bulbs and diodes are electrical components, not the property describing how matter can be charged.