A charged particle is a particle that possesses an electric charge, which can be either positive or negative. Common examples of charged particles include electrons, which carry a negative charge, and protons, which carry a positive charge. The presence of an electric charge causes these particles to experience forces when placed in an electric or magnetic field. Charged particles play a crucial role in various physical phenomena, including electricity, magnetism, and chemical reactions. They are fundamental to the structure of atoms, as electrons orbit around the positively charged nucleus made up of protons and neutrons. Understanding charged particles is essential in fields like physics, chemistry, and engineering.