Electron properties

Here are some of the key properties of electrons:

• Charge: Electrons carry a negative electric charge of -1.602 × 10^-19 coulombs (C). This charge is fundamental to understanding electrical phenomena and the interactions between electrons and other charged particles.

• Mass: Electrons have a very small mass of approximately 9.109 × 10^-31 kilograms (kg). Their mass is about 1/1836 the mass of a proton, which is another fundamental particle found in the nucleus of atoms.

• Spin: Electrons possess an intrinsic angular momentum, also known as spin, which is quantized to two values: +1/2 and -1/2. This spin property contributes to the magnetic properties of atoms and molecules and influences the behaviour of electrons in magnetic fields.

• Wave-Particle Duality: Electrons exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties. They can be diffracted and interfere like waves, but they also exhibit discrete particle-like behaviour, such as the ability to collide with other particles and be localized in specific regions of space.

• Indistinguishability: Electrons are indistinguishable particles, meaning that they cannot be individually identified or distinguished from one another. This property has implications for quantum mechanics and the behaviour of electrons in atoms and molecules.

• Magnetic Moment: Electrons have a magnetic moment associated with their spin, which contributes to the magnetic properties of atoms and molecules. This magnetic moment interacts with external magnetic fields, causing atoms to align and materials to exhibit magnetic behaviour.

• Role in Chemical Bonding: Electrons are responsible for chemical bonding, the force that holds atoms together to form molecules. The arrangement and interactions of electrons in orbitals determine the strength and type of chemical bonds.

• Electrical Conductivity: Electrons are the primary carriers of electric charge in materials, and their movement is responsible for electrical conductivity. The flow of electrons through conductors generates electric currents and enables the operation of electronic devices.

• Emission and Absorption Spectra: Electrons play a crucial role in the emission and absorption of light, giving rise to the characteristic spectra of atoms and molecules. The energy levels and transitions of electrons determine the wavelengths of light emitted or absorbed.

• Role in Particle Physics: Electrons are fundamental particles in the Standard Model of particle physics, and their interactions with other particles are essential for understanding the behaviour of matter at the subatomic level. They are involved in various phenomena, such as beta decay and electron-positron annihilation.