An electron is a subatomic particle, considered to be an elementary particle, as it doesn’t have any known parts or structure within it.
- In an atom, electrons are arranged in orbitals, which are regions in which there is a high probability of them being found. These orbitals are grouped into shells based on their energy levels.
- Electrons are the primary carriers of a negative electric charge in an atom, and through their interactions with other particles and fields play an essential role in electromagnetism, electricity, magnetism, chemistry, heat transfer, gravitational and weak interactions.
- Electrons significantly contribute to electromagnetism because they have an electric field around them, and when moving produce a magnetic field.
- When accelerated electrons radiate or absorb energy in the form of photons.
- Electrons can collide with other particles and can be diffracted in a similar way to light.
- Electrons exhibit both particle and wave properties. This wave-particle duality is a concept in quantum mechanics and is essential for understanding the behaviour of electrons.
- The spin of an electron makes it behave like a tiny magnet.
- Spin is a type of angular momentum carried by elementary particles, atomic nuclei, and other quantum particles.
- Spin is a key property of these particles, along with mass and charge. It’s important to note that spin is a quantum property and doesn’t involve actual spinning in the physical sense we’re used to.
Electrons outside atoms
- Electrons can also be found in other contexts outside of atoms. Here are a few examples:
- Free Electrons: In certain materials, such as metals, electrons can break free from their atoms and move freely throughout the material. These free electrons are responsible for electrical conductivity and the flow of electric current in conductors.
- Plasma: A plasma is an ionized gas where some or all of the electrons have been stripped from their atoms, creating a mixture of positively charged ions and free electrons. Plasma are found in phenomena such as lightning, fluorescent lights, and stars.
- Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs): In older television sets and computer monitors that use CRT technology, beams of electrons are used to create images on a screen by striking phosphorescent material, causing it to emit light.
- Particle Accelerators: In facilities like particle accelerators, electrons are accelerated to very high speeds and energies to study fundamental particles and conduct experiments in high-energy physics.
- Electric Discharges: In phenomena like electrical sparks and lightning, electrons are involved in rapid movements and transfers of electrical energy.
References
- An electron is a subatomic particle, considered to be an elementary particle, as it doesn’t have any known parts or structure within it.
- In an atom, electrons are arranged in orbitals, which are regions in which there is a high probability of them being found. These orbitals are grouped into shells based on their energy levels.
- Electrons are the primary carriers of a negative electric charge in an atom, and through their interactions with other particles and fields play an essential role in electromagnetism, electricity, magnetism, chemistry, heat transfer, gravitational and weak interactions.
- Electrons significantly contribute to electromagnetism because they have an electric field around them, and when moving produce a magnetic field.
- When accelerated electrons radiate or absorb energy in the form of photons.
- Electrons can collide with other particles and can be diffracted in a similar way to light.
- Electrons exhibit both particle and wave properties. This wave-particle duality is a concept in quantum mechanics and is essential for understanding the behaviour of electrons.