Electron: Difference between revisions
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The '''electron''' is a tiny subatomic [[particle physics|particle]] with one unit negative [[electric charge]]. The electron is one of a class of subatomic particles called [[lepton|leptons]] which are believed to be [[particle physics|fundamental particles]] (that is, they cannot be broken down into smaller constituent parts). |
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[[Atom]]s consist of a [[nucleus]] of [[proton]]s and [[neutron]]s surrounded by electrons. The [[mass]] of an electron is about 9.11 × 10<sup>-31</sup> kg, which makes a proton about 1800 times as heavy as an electron. |
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When electrons move, free of the nuclei of atoms, and there is a net flow, this flow is called [[electricity]], or an [[electric current]]. This might be compared to a flock of sheep moving north together, while the shepherds do not. |
When electrons move, free of the nuclei of atoms, and there is a net flow, this flow is called [[electricity]], or an [[electric current]]. This might be compared to a flock of sheep moving north together, while the shepherds do not. |
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So-called "static electricity" is not a flow of electrons at all. More correctly called a "static charge", it refers to a body that has more or fewer electrons than are required to balance the positive charge of the nuclei. When there is an excess of electrons, the object is said to be "negatively charged". When there are fewer electrons than [[proton|protons]], the object is said to be "positively charged". When the number of electrons and the number of protons are equal, the object is said to be electrically "neutral". |
So-called "static electricity" is not a flow of electrons at all. More correctly called a "static charge", it refers to a body that has more or fewer electrons than are required to balance the positive charge of the nuclei. When there is an excess of electrons, the object is said to be "negatively charged". When there are fewer electrons than [[proton|protons]], the object is said to be "positively charged". When the number of electrons and the number of protons are equal, the object is said to be electrically "neutral". |
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The electron is one of a class of subatomic particles called [[lepton|leptons]] which are believed to be fundamental particles (that is, they cannot be broken down into smaller constituent parts). |
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Revision as of 16:04, 19 February 2002
The electron is a tiny subatomic particle with one unit negative electric charge. The electron is one of a class of subatomic particles called leptons which are believed to be fundamental particles (that is, they cannot be broken down into smaller constituent parts).
Atoms consist of a nucleus of protons and neutrons surrounded by electrons. The mass of an electron is about 9.11 × 10-31 kg, which makes a proton about 1800 times as heavy as an electron.
The electron has spin 1/2, which means it is a fermion, i.e., follows the Fermi-Dirac statistics.
The antimatter counterpart of the electron is the positron.
When electrons move, free of the nuclei of atoms, and there is a net flow, this flow is called electricity, or an electric current. This might be compared to a flock of sheep moving north together, while the shepherds do not.
So-called "static electricity" is not a flow of electrons at all. More correctly called a "static charge", it refers to a body that has more or fewer electrons than are required to balance the positive charge of the nuclei. When there is an excess of electrons, the object is said to be "negatively charged". When there are fewer electrons than protons, the object is said to be "positively charged". When the number of electrons and the number of protons are equal, the object is said to be electrically "neutral".