e⋅lec⋅tron
[i-lek-tron]
| 1. | Also called negatron. Physics, Chemistry. an elementary particle that is a fundamental constituent of matter, having a negative charge of 1.602 × 10−19 coulombs, a mass of 9.108 × 10−31 kilograms, and spin of 1/2 , and existing independently or as the component outside the nucleus of an atom. |
| 2. | Electricity. a unit of charge equal to the charge on one electron. |
term first suggested in 1891 by Irish physicist G. J. Stoney (1826–1911); electr(ic) + -on (from the names of charged particles, as ion, cation, anion ) with perh. accidental allusion to Gk
lektron amber (see electric )
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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e·lec·tron (ĭ-lěk'trŏn') n. Abbr. e A stable subatomic particle in the lepton family having a rest mass of 9.1066 × 10-28 grams and a unit negative electric charge of approximately 1.602 × 10-19 coulombs. See Table at subatomic particle. [electr(ic) + -on1.] |
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Electron
E*lec"tron\, [NL., fr. Gr. ?. See Electric.] (Physics & Chem.) One of those particles, having about one thousandth the mass of a hydrogen atom, which are projected from the cathode of a vacuum tube as the cathode rays and from radioactive substances as the beta rays; -- called also corpuscle. The electron carries (or is) a natural unit of negative electricity, equal to 3.4 x 10^-10 electrostatic units. It has been detected only when in rapid motion; its mass, which is electromagnetic, is practically constant at the lesser speeds, but increases as the velocity approaches that of light. Electrons are all of one kind, so far as known, and probably are the ultimate constituents of all atoms. An atom from which an electron has been detached has a positive charge and is called a coelectron.Cite This Source
electron [(i-lek-tron)]
An elementary particle with a negative charge and a very small mass. Electrons are normally found in orbits around the nucleus of an atom. The chemical reactions that an atom undergoes depend primarily on the electrons in the outermost orbits (the valence electrons).
Note: The movement of large numbers of electrons through conductors constitutes an electric current.
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electron
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Main Entry: elec·tron
Pronunciation: i-'lek-"trän
Function: noun
: an elementary particle consisting of a charge of negative electricity equal toabout 1.602 × 10−19coulomb and having a mass when at rest of about 9.109534 × 10−28gram or about 1/1836 that ofa proton
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electron e·lec·tron (ĭ-lěk'trŏn')
n.
Abbr. e
A stable subatomic particle in the lepton family having a rest mass of 9.1066 × 10-28 gram and a unit negative electric charge of approximately 1.602 × 10-19 coulomb. Also called negatron.
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electron (ĭ-lěk'trŏn') Pronunciation Key
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electron electronics
A sub-atomic particle with a negative quantised charge. A flow of electrical current consists of the unidirectional (on average) movement of many electrons. The more mobile electrons are in a given material, the greater it electrical conductance (or equivalently, the lower its resistance).
(1995-10-06)
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