ASL STEM

Definition

1. A basic property of elementary particles of matter; the charge of an object may be a positive or negative number or zero; only integral multiples of the proton charge occur, and the charge of a body is the algebraic sum of the charges of its constituents; the value of the charge may be inferred from the Coulomb force between charged objects. Also known as electric charge, quantity of electricity. 2. To convert electrical energy to chemical energy in a secondary battery. 3. To feed electrical energy to a capacitor or other device that can store it.

Source: McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003. Credo Reference. Web. 08 August 2012.