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An '''electron''' is an [[elementary particle]] that carries a negative [[elementary charge]] &minus;''e''. It is a [[electron spin|spin-½]] [[lepton]] of mass 9.109&thinsp;382&thinsp;15 &times; 10<sup>&minus;31</sup> kg. Because of this small mass the motion of an electron must often be described by [[quantum mechanics]] or [[quantum electrodynamics]].  However, [[classical electrodynamics]], describing the behavior of electrons in [[electromagnetic fields]] by the (classical) [[Maxwell equations]], has still its use in [[electrical engineering]] and many branches of [[physics]]. Together with atomic [[nucleus (physics)|nuclei]], electrons constitute [[atom]]s and [[molecule]]s. Their (quantum mechanical) interaction with adjacent nuclei causes [[chemical bonding]] and bonding in [[crystals]].
An '''electron''' is an [[elementary particle]] that carries a negative [[elementary charge]] &minus;''e''.<ref name=NIST0>
 
{{cite web |title=Elementary charge  |url=http://physics.nist.gov/cgi-bin/cuu/Value?e|search_for=electron+charge |work=The NIST reference on constants, units, and uncertainty |publisher=[[National Institute of Standards and Technology]] |accessdate=2011-09-04}}
 
</ref>
 
::''e'' = 1.602 176 565(35) × 10<sup>-19</sup> C
 
The electron mass is<ref name=NIST1>
 
{{cite web |title=Electron mass  |url=http://physics.nist.gov/cgi-bin/cuu/Value?me|search_for=electron+mass |work=The NIST reference on constants, units, and uncertainty |accessdate=2011-09-04}}
 
</ref>
::''m<sub>e</sub>'' = 9.109 382 91(40) &times; 10<sup>&minus;31</sup> kg = 0.510999 MeV/c<sup>2</sup>.
 
It has a [[gyromagnetic ratio]]<ref name=NIST2>
 
{{cite web |title=Electron gyromagnetic ratio  |url=http://physics.nist.gov/cgi-bin/cuu/Value?gammae|search_for=gyromagnetic+ratio |work=The NIST reference on constants, units, and uncertainty |accessdate=2011-09-04}}
 
</ref>
 
::''&gamma;<sub>e</sub>'' = 1.760 859 708(39) x 10<sup>11</sup> s<sup>-1</sup> T<sup>-1</sup>
 
or a [[magnetic moment]] of about −1.00115965 Bohr magneton (''&mu;<sub>B</sub>''):<ref name=NIST4>
 
{{cite web |title=Bohr magneton |url=http://physics.nist.gov/cgi-bin/cuu/Value?mub|search_for=Bohr+magneton |work=The NIST reference on constants, units, and uncertainty |accessdate=2011-09-04}}
 
</ref>
 
::''&mu;<sub>B</sub>'' = 927.400 968(20) x 10<sup>-26</sup> J/T.
 
Because they have [[angular momentum (quantum)|spin]] 1/2, electrons are [[fermion]]s, and the behavior of large numbers of electrons is governed by [[Fermi statistics]].
 
At a very microscopic level, electrons belong to the [[lepton]]s, one of two types of fundamental particles in the [[Standard Model]] of particle physics, the other being the [[quark]]s. On a larger scale, [[atom]]s and [[molecule]]s are made up of electrons together with the [[neutron]]s and [[proton]]s of atomic [[nucleus (physics)|nuclei]].
 
The behavior of electrons at the atomic and molecular level is governed by [[quantum mechanics]] or [[quantum electrodynamics]]. The (quantum mechanical) interaction between electrons on nearby atoms underlies the [[chemical bonding]] in molecules, gases, liquids, and solids such as [[crystals]].
 
On a larger scale, however, these microscopic considerations often can be approximated as macroscopic currents and charges, which then are used in [[classical electrodynamics]] to describe [[electromagnetic fields]] using the (classical) [[Maxwell equations]]. In such an approach, quantum mechanics can be used to establish the electronic properties of materials, which then are expressed in the macroscopic Maxwell equations by introducing material parameters such as permittivities, permeabilities, conductivities and the like without further need for quantum theory.
 
Electric currents are primarily due to the motion of electrons in wires and electronic components.
 
==References==
<references/>[[Category:Suggestion Bot Tag]]

Latest revision as of 06:01, 11 August 2024

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An electron is an elementary particle that carries a negative elementary chargee.[1]

e = 1.602 176 565(35) × 10-19 C

The electron mass is[2]

me = 9.109 382 91(40) × 10−31 kg = 0.510999 MeV/c2.

It has a gyromagnetic ratio[3]

γe = 1.760 859 708(39) x 1011 s-1 T-1

or a magnetic moment of about −1.00115965 Bohr magneton (μB):[4]

μB = 927.400 968(20) x 10-26 J/T.

Because they have spin 1/2, electrons are fermions, and the behavior of large numbers of electrons is governed by Fermi statistics.

At a very microscopic level, electrons belong to the leptons, one of two types of fundamental particles in the Standard Model of particle physics, the other being the quarks. On a larger scale, atoms and molecules are made up of electrons together with the neutrons and protons of atomic nuclei.

The behavior of electrons at the atomic and molecular level is governed by quantum mechanics or quantum electrodynamics. The (quantum mechanical) interaction between electrons on nearby atoms underlies the chemical bonding in molecules, gases, liquids, and solids such as crystals.

On a larger scale, however, these microscopic considerations often can be approximated as macroscopic currents and charges, which then are used in classical electrodynamics to describe electromagnetic fields using the (classical) Maxwell equations. In such an approach, quantum mechanics can be used to establish the electronic properties of materials, which then are expressed in the macroscopic Maxwell equations by introducing material parameters such as permittivities, permeabilities, conductivities and the like without further need for quantum theory.

Electric currents are primarily due to the motion of electrons in wires and electronic components.

References

  1. Elementary charge. The NIST reference on constants, units, and uncertainty. National Institute of Standards and Technology. Retrieved on 2011-09-04.
  2. Electron mass. The NIST reference on constants, units, and uncertainty. Retrieved on 2011-09-04.
  3. Electron gyromagnetic ratio. The NIST reference on constants, units, and uncertainty. Retrieved on 2011-09-04.
  4. Bohr magneton. The NIST reference on constants, units, and uncertainty. Retrieved on 2011-09-04.