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.