Point particle#Point charge

A point charge is a point-like electric charge, ie a charge without any spatial extent. This idealization is used in electrostatics to to describe the fundamental interactions between electrical charge carriers. Generate point charges as extensive charges electric fields, so that an electrostatic force acting between them. Solutions for field equations with point charges are referred to vacuum solutions.

Point charges are usually a simplification of the real facts. Macroscopic body never place a point charge is, but their charge is distributed on its surface. In many cases, however, they can be mathematically approximated as point charges. Also objects at the atomic level are generally not point charges, such as the proton. It assumes, however, that it is in fact the electron to a particle that has point-like mass and charge. The same applies for the other leptons and quarks for.