uncharged

Uncharged is an adjective describing the absence of net electric charge or, in a legal context, the absence of formal charges. In physics and chemistry, an uncharged object has zero net electric charge, meaning the total number of protons equals the total number of electrons. However, such an object can still experience electric effects: in an external electric field, an uncharged conductor may develop a separation of charges on its surface (induced charges), while an uncharged dielectric can become polarized with internal charge separation but no net charge. Neutrons are examples of uncharged particles, as they carry no electric charge, though they participate in strong interactions.

In atomic and molecular chemistry, neutral atoms or molecules are uncharged; ions carry net positive or negative charge. A chemical reaction can change the charge state, converting uncharged species into charged ions, or vice versa. In plasmas and high-energy environments, electrons can be stripped from atoms, creating charged ions from formerly uncharged species.

In legal contexts, the term uncharged is used to describe a person who has not been formally charged with a crime. This distinction is commonly used in reporting and in jurisdictions where a person may be under investigation but not yet charged or indicted.

The concept of uncharged is closely related to neutrality and charge neutrality. Charge state is typically quantified in coulombs or elementary charges, and a net charge of zero defines an uncharged or neutral system for many practical purposes, though local charge distribution may vary.