1) An electron is a subatomic particle that carries a negative electrical charge. With a mass significantly smaller than that of protons and neutrons, electrons are generally found in regions around an atomic nucleus, known as electron shells or orbitals. These electrons play a crucial role in chemical bonding, electrical conductivity, and various other chemical and physical processes. In quantum mechanical terms, electrons are often described by wavefunctions and are subject to principles such as the Pauli Exclusion Principle and Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle.
Related Chemistry Terminology
- Atom
- Proton
- Neutron
- Electron Shell
- Orbital
- Valence Electron
- Chemical Bond
- Covalent Bond
- Ionic Bond
- Pauli Exclusion Principle
- Quantum Mechanics
References
- "Chemistry: The Central Science" by Theodore L. Brown, H. Eugene LeMay, Bruce E. Bursten, Catherine Murphy, Patrick Woodward
- "Principles of Modern Chemistry" by David W. Oxtoby, H. P. Gillis, Alan Campion
- "Quantum Mechanics: Concepts and Applications" by Nouredine Zettili