Charge is a fundamental property of matter that gives rise to electrical phenomena. It is a measure of the amount of electric force an object carries. Charge exists in two forms, positive and negative, with like charges repelling and opposite charges attracting each other.

The law of conservation of charge states that the total electric charge in a closed system remains constant over time. This means that charge can neither be created nor destroyed; it can only be transferred from one object to another. This principle is crucial in understanding and analyzing various electrical phenomena.

For example, consider a simple experiment of rubbing a plastic ruler with a piece of cloth. The ruler gains a negative charge while the cloth gains a positive charge. According to the law of conservation of charge, the total charge before the rubbing is equal to the total charge after the rubbing.

To further illustrate, let's imagine a scenario where two metal spheres, initially showing no net charge, are brought into contact with each other. Due to the conservation of charge, electrons will flow from one sphere to the other until they reach equilibrium. As a result, both spheres acquire equal and opposite charges. This example demonstrates that charge is conserved even when transferred between objects.

Understanding the law of conservation of charge is vital because it allows us to predict and analyze electrical phenomena, from simple experiments to complex circuits. By applying this principle, we can explain how charges interact, how electrical current flows, and how energy is transferred in various electrical systems.