What is an electron?
An electron is one of the fundamental particles that make up matter. It has a negative electric charge of -1e and a very small mass of about 9.1 x 10^-31 kg . Electrons are part of the first generation of leptons, which are elementary particles that do not have any substructure. Electrons are also one of the main components of atoms, along with protons and neutrons.
What are the basic properties of an electron?
Some of the basic properties of an electron are:
- Charge: The electron has a negative electric charge of -1e, which is equal and opposite to the charge of a proton . The charge of an electron is one of the fundamental constants of nature and is measured in coulombs (C).
- Mass: The electron has a very small mass of about 9.1 x 10^-31 kg, which is about 1/2000 times smaller than the mass of a proton or a neutron . The mass of an electron is measured in kilograms (kg) or atomic mass units (amu).
- Spin: The electron has an intrinsic angular momentum or spin of 1/2, which means it can have only two possible orientations: up or down. The spin of an electron is measured in units of the reduced Planck constant (ħ).
- Wave-particle duality: The electron exhibits properties of both particles and waves, which means it can collide with other particles and can be diffracted like light . The wave properties of electrons are described by the de Broglie wavelength, which is inversely proportional to the momentum of the electron.
What does the electron do in the atom?
The electron plays an essential role in the structure and behavior of atoms. Electrons are found outside the nucleus of the atom, in a region called the electron cloud. The electron cloud is composed of different energy levels or shells, where electrons can occupy specific orbitals or subshells. Each orbital can hold up to two electrons with opposite spins, according to the Pauli exclusion principle.
The electrons in the outermost shell or valence shell are responsible for the chemical properties and reactions of atoms. These electrons can be shared, transferred, or exchanged with other atoms to form chemical bonds. The number and arrangement of valence electrons determine the chemical behavior and periodic trends of elements.
The electrons in the inner shells or core shells are responsible for the physical properties and interactions of atoms. These electrons can be affected by external fields or forces, such as electric, magnetic, or gravitational fields. The movement and distribution of core electrons determine the electrical conductivity, magnetic susceptibility, and atomic spectra of elements.
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