Two type of charges: Positive charge: + Negative charge: - Charges in an atom If a particle gain an electron, it's been negative charged. If a particle lost an electron, it's been positive charged. Normally when objects are charged by rubbing, they hold their charge only for a limited time and eventually return to the neutral state. Usually the charge "leaks off" onto water molecules in the air. This is because water molecules are Polar. Polar means the molecule has opposite charges on different ends.