0Electric charge is a basic property of matter that causes two charged objects to push or pull on each other with an electric force. Like charges (both positive or both negative) always push each other away (repel), while opposite charges (one positive and one negative) pull each other closer. This force is given by Coulomb's law: F = k |q₁ q₂| / r² where F is the force, q₁ and q₂ are the charges, r is the distance between them, and k is the constant (9 × 10⁹ N·m²/C²). The direction of the force depends on the signs of the charges: it pushes away if the signs are the same, and pulls closer if the signs are different.
