Question

Choose the correct statement about the electric charges:
A. Two charges exert only electrical force on each other.
B. Two charges exert only magnetic force on each other.
C. Two charges interact electromagnetically.
D. Two charges either interact electrically or magnetically.

Answer 1

Hint:-Electric charge is a physical property of a matter that gives rise to a force when placed in an electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic interaction is one of the 4 fundamental interactions of nature. It is stronger than weak and gravitational interactions but weaker than strong interaction.

Complete step-by-step solution:-
There are two kinds of electric charges, positive charge and negative charge. The negative charge is carried by the electrons and the protons carry the positive charge in the nuclei of the atom. The like charges repulse each other and the unlike charges attract each other. Electric charge produces electric fields and also moving charge produces a magnetic field. The interaction of the electric charges with an electromagnetic field which is the combination of electric field and the magnetic field is the source of electromagnetic force which is also referred to as the Lorentz force. Therefore, two electric charges interact electromagnetically and exert an electromagnetic force on each other.
Hence, the correct option is (C) which states that two charges interact electromagnetically.

Additional Information:
The force of electromagnetic interaction between two charges, be it an attraction or repulsion, can be calculated with the help of Coulomb’s law. The quantities needed for force calculation are the magnitude of the charges and the distance between them.

Note:- Although protons carry the positive charge, in practical use, positive charge denotes a deficiency of electrons whereas negative charge represents an excess of electrons in a region. Electromagnetic Interaction is linked with electric and magnetic fields and also responsible for atomic structure, chemical interaction, the attractive and repulsive electromagnetic forces linked with electrically charged or magnetically polarized particles and other electromagnetic phenomena.