Definition
An electrical charge state in which a material has fewer electrons than its normal balanced (neutral) state. Because electrons carry negative charge, a shortage of them leaves the material with a net positive charge.
Plain English
Something has a positive charge when it is missing some of its electrons. The leftover imbalance gives it a positive electrical state.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft electrical-system and static-electricity discussions, such as battery terminals, wire connections, and charge buildup on the airframe.
Derivation
From Latin positivus, meaning 'set in place' or 'definite.' Early electrical experimenters labeled one of the two charge states 'positive' simply to distinguish it from the other ('negative'). The names stuck even though we now know the moving charges in most circuits are actually the negative electrons.
Why Pilots Care
Knowing which terminal or surface is positive matters when connecting batteries, jump-starting an aircraft, bonding fuel nozzles, and understanding why static buildup must be discharged before fueling or touching sensitive avionics.
Grounding Statement
If electrons are removed from a surface, that surface is left with a positive charge.
Intuition Check
Positive does not mean good, stronger, or safer here. It means an electrical state with fewer electrons than protons.
Example Sentence 1
The battery's positive terminal is marked with a plus sign and connects to the aircraft's main bus through the master contactor.
Example Sentence 2
Technicians checked the battery terminals to confirm the positive charge side was connected to the correct aircraft bus.