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Electric charge comes in two varieties, which we call positive and negative. Like charges repel each other, and unlike charges attract each other. Thus, two positive charges repel each other, as do two negative charges. A positive charge and a negative charge attract each other.

How do we know there are two types of electric charge? When various materials are rubbed together in controlled ways, certain combinations of materials always result in a net charge of one type on one material and a net charge of the opposite type on the other material. By convention, we call one type of charge positive and the other type negative.

In this lesson you will learn that:

• Static electricity is a build-up of charge in an object.
• The build-up pf charge is caused by insulating materials rub against each other.
• The motion of these charges causes small shocks, lightening and sparks.
• These charges can be detected. 
• Certain materials can be classified as insulators, and others as conductors.
• Capacitors are small devices in circuits which can store charge.
• Lightning rods are used to allow charges from strikes to travel safely and dissipate in the Earth

When a circuit is connected and complete, charge can move through the circuit. Charge will not move unless there is a reason, a force to drive it around the circuit. Think of it as though charge is at rest and some- thing has to push it along. This means that work needs to be done to make charge move. A force acts on the charges, doing work, to make them move. The force is provided by the battery in the circuit.