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All materials that are known contain two basic components of electric charge: the [[proton]] and the [[electron]]. The proton is a basic particle with positive polarity, and the electron is the smallest amount of electric charge having negative polarity.  

All materials that are known contain two basic components of electric charge: the [[proton]] and the [[electron]]. The proton is a basic particle with positive polarity, and the electron is the smallest amount of electric charge having negative polarity.  

It is an arrangement of electrons and protons as basic particles of electricity that determines the electrical characteristics of substances. Although all matter has protons and electrons, most materials do not exhibit any evidence of electricity, because the number of protons and electrons are equal. The opposite electrical forces cancel each other out, and render materials like paper electrically neutral. In order to use electricity to do work, the protons and electrons must be separated. A battery can do electrical work because a chemical process separates electric charges to create an excess of of electrons at its negative terminal and conversely, an excess of protons at its positive terminal. With separate and opposite charges at two terminals, electric energy can be supplied to a circuit connected to the battery.

It is an arrangement of electrons and protons as basic particles of electricity that determines the electrical characteristics of substances. Although all matter has protons and electrons, most materials do not exhibit any evidence of electricity, because the number of protons and electrons are equal. The opposite electrical forces cancel each other out, and render materials like paper electrically neutral. In order to use electricity to do work, the protons and electrons must be separated. A battery can do electrical work because a chemical process separates electric charges to create an excess of electrons at its negative terminal and conversely, an excess of protons at its positive terminal. With separate and opposite charges at two terminals, electric energy can be supplied to a circuit connected to the battery.

==The Structure of an Atom Determines its Electrical Characteristics==

==The Structure of an Atom Determines its Electrical Characteristics==