Excellent Question. Charge is a property of matter. We don't know why things have charge, but it tells us how strongly a particles interacts with the Electromagnetic field (which is carried by photons). Perhaps one day, some theory will explain the origins of charge, but for now, we don't know.
Perhaps a more interesting question is "Why does the proton and electron have EXACTLY equal but opposite charge (as best we can measure it)?" That may be a question we can't answer as well, but it's certainly a wonderful coincidence! Otherwise, we'd be in a lot of trouble.
A related question to the one above is "Why is charge quantized in the universe?" This is asking why do charges always come in multiples of the electron charge? Quarks are multiples of 1/3 the electron charge (but never 3/8 for example) and other particles are integer multiples of the electron charge. This is a question we might have some hints to answer: Dirac showed that the existance of a single Magnetic Monopole (forbidden in Classical Electrodynamics) would explain charge quantization. Other ways of explaining it involve extra-dimensions and perhaps string theory.
So, I know I didn't really answer your question. But that's because physicists are still trying to answer it themselves. Get a PhD in physics, answer it, and you'll win a Nobel Prize.
2006-08-26 09:31:46
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answer #1
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answered by Davon 2
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Maybe it's like asking why do you and your reflection look alike -- except that the reflection is a little dimmer, and exactly backwards. The answer to that question has to do with the fact that there are mirrors and also with the way light interacts with mirrors. Are there "mirrors" that explain the electron/proton situation, and what are their properties? Maybe one day we'll find out.
2006-08-26 10:40:19
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answer #2
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answered by Grouchy Dude 4
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Electrons have a negative charge and protons have a positive charge. They aren't the same at all.
2006-08-26 09:17:31
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answer #3
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answered by songbird 6
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The charge is not based on the mass. (Proton is positive, electron is negative)
2006-08-26 09:17:15
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answer #4
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answered by ethereality 4
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you will possibly desire to do your individual homework ;) i'm going to offer help to on a pair of the better ones although. a million) look up atoms on google 2) reactants 3)your possibilities are Molecular and Ionic (think of + and - rates) 4)Left 5)Br,I,N,Cl,H,O,F (it spells Brinclhof it truly is advisable to remember this word. Makes no sence yet interior reason uncomplicated to remember) 6) 2 (H, He) 7) look up periodic table 8)I ignore his call......... look up atoms returned...... may well be ernest rutherford..... 9)ductiblity? might pick to look that one up 10)debris earnings skill till they are waiting to take a gaseous style. 11)section, colour, i depart the final one to you. 12)something that HEATS our surroundings (ie. takes no skill from our surroundings) 13)HYDROGEN 14)style avagadros quantity into the hunt bar ;) 15) while its temperature is < its boiling factor sixteen) look up chemical residences certainly the ideal thank you to respond to those questions is to look on your textbook and former notes. If no longer maximum are actual discovered by using the internet. solid good fortune in Chemistry
2016-11-05 21:11:38
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answer #5
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answered by ? 4
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