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View synonyms for electron

electron

[ ih-lek-tron ]

noun

  1. Also called neg·a·tron [neg, -, uh, -tron]. 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 ½, 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.


electron

/ ɪˈlɛktrɒn /

noun

  1. a stable elementary particle present in all atoms, orbiting the nucleus in numbers equal to the atomic number of the element in the neutral atom; a lepton with a negative charge of 1.602 176 462 × 10 –19coulomb, a rest mass of 9.109 381 88 × 10 –31kilogram, a radius of 2.817 940 285 × 10 –15metre, and a spin of 1 2


electron

/ ĭ-lĕktrŏn′ /

  1. A stable elementary particle in the lepton family having a mass at rest of 9.107 × 10 -28 grams and a negative electric charge of approximately 1.602 × 10 -19 coulombs. Electrons orbit about the positively charged nuclei of atoms in distinct orbitals of different energy levels, called shells . Electrons are the primary charge carriers in electric current.
  2. Compare positronSee also electromagnetismSee Table at subatomic particle
  3. A positron or a negatron.


electron

  1. 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 ).


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Notes

The movement of large numbers of electrons through conductors constitutes an electric current .

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Word History and Origins

Origin of electron1

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 perhaps accidental allusion to Greek ḗlektron amber ( electric )

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Word History and Origins

Origin of electron1

C19: from electro- + -on

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