ELECTRON

Electron Overview

An electron is a subatomic particle with a negative electric charge, symbolized by e?e^-e?. It is one of the fundamental components of an atom, playing a crucial role in chemistry and physics. Electrons are elementary particles, meaning they are not composed of smaller particles, and belong to the lepton family in particle physics.

Electrons orbit the nucleus of an atom, which contains positively charged protons and neutral neutrons. The distribution of electrons in different energy levels or shells around the nucleus determines an atom's chemical properties and reactivity. Electrons are involved in chemical bonding, electrical conductivity, and various other physical phenomena.

In addition to their negative charge, electrons have a very small mass compared to protons and neutrons—approximately 9.11×10?319.11 \times 10^{-31}9.11×10?31 kilograms. Despite their tiny mass, their charge plays a significant role in the electromagnetic force, one of the four fundamental forces of nature.

Electrons are also essential in electricity and electronics. In conductive materials, electrons can move freely, creating an electric current when driven by a potential difference. This movement of electrons is fundamental to the operation of electronic devices and circuits.

Electrons exhibit both particle-like and wave-like properties, a concept described by quantum mechanics. This duality is evident in phenomena such as electron diffraction and interference patterns.