Question

In nature, the electric charge of any system is always equal to

• A. half integral multiple of the least amount of charge
• B. zero
• C. square of the least amount of charge
• D. integral multiple of the least amount of charge

Hint:

Quantization: \(q = ne\). Any net charge must be an integer multiple of elementary charge \(e\).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Recall quantization of charge.
Charge exists in discrete units. The smallest charge is the electronic charge \(e = 1.6\times 10^{-19}C\).
Step 2: Write the quantization condition.
\[ q = ne \] where \(n\) is an integer (\(\pm 1, \pm 2, \pm 3, \dots\)).
Step 3: Interpretation.
This means charge on any body is always an integral multiple of \(e\), not fractional.
Step 4: Match with option.
Hence option (D) is correct.
Final Answer:
\[ \boxed{\text{(D) integral multiple of the least amount of charge}} \]