Explain the concept of additive nature of charge.

1. Electric charge is additive, similar to mass. The total electric charge on an object is equal to the algebraic sum of all the electric charges distributed on different parts of the object. 

2. It may be pointed out that while taking the algebraic sum, the sign (positive or negative) of the electric charges must be taken into account. 

3. Thus, if two bodies have equal and opposite charges, the net charge on the system of the two bodies is zero. 

4. This is similar to that in case of atoms where the nucleus is positively charged and this charge is equal to the negative charge of the electrons making the atoms electrically neutral.