ELECTRONS Meaning and
Definition
-
Electrons are subatomic particles that carry a negative electric charge and orbit around the nucleus of an atom. They are constituents of all atoms and play a fundamental role in the behavior and properties of matter. Electrons have a mass that is approximately 1/1836 times the mass of a proton, making them significantly lighter.
The concept of electrons was first proposed by British physicist J.J. Thomson in the late 19th century. He conducted experiments using cathode rays and identified these negatively charged particles as being part of the atom. The understanding of electrons greatly advanced with the development of quantum mechanics in the early 20th century.
Electrons exist in discrete energy levels or shells around the atomic nucleus, occupying specific orbitals. They can absorb or emit energy in the form of photons to move between these energy levels, which is crucial for various electronic and chemical processes.
Despite their small size and negative charge, electrons have a significant impact on the physical and chemical properties of atoms and molecules. They participate in chemical reactions, bonding with other atoms to form compounds. In materials, such as metals, electrons are relatively free to move within a lattice structure, leading to the flow of electric current. This phenomenon is vital for electricity and electrical devices.
The study of electrons and their behavior is essential in fields like quantum physics, chemistry, and electrical engineering, as they form the foundation of these disciplines.
Top Common Misspellings for ELECTRONS *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for ELECTRONS
Etymology of ELECTRONS
The word "electron" comes from the Greek word "ēlektron", which means "amber". It was derived from the ancient Greek practice of rubbing amber to produce static electricity. The English physicist and chemist Michael Faraday introduced the term "electricity" in the 1830s to describe electric charge carriers, and from there, the word "electron" emerged to specifically denote the fundamental negatively charged particle in an atom.
Similar spelling words for ELECTRONS
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
