Electrons are subatomic particles, classified as elementary particles, that carry a negative electric charge. Along with protons and neutrons, electrons are one of the three main constituents of atoms. In an atom, electrons are bound to the nucleus, which is composed of protons and neutrons, by the electromagnetic force.
Electrons play a fundamental role in electricity, magnetism, and chemistry, as well as other physical phenomena. They are responsible for a wide variety of electrical and chemical properties of matter.
Electrons are very light, having a mass that is only about 1/1836 the mass of a proton. They are also very small, with a radius that is less than 1/100,000 the size of a proton. Electrons are not known to have any internal structure, and they are considered to be point-like particles.
Electrons are classified as fermions, meaning that they obey the Pauli exclusion principle. This principle states that no two electrons can simultaneously exist in the same quantum state. The quantum state of an electron is described by a set of four quantum numbers: the principal quantum number (n), the angular momentum quantum number (l), the magnetic quantum number (ml), and the spin quantum number (ms).
Electrons can exist in different energy states, which are determined by their quantum numbers. The lowest energy state is the ground state, and the excited states are higher in energy. When an electron transitions from a higher energy state to a lower energy state, it releases a photon of light. The wavelength of the light is inversely proportional to the difference in energy between the two energy states, and the frequency of the light is directly proportional to the difference in energy between the two energy states.
Electrons play a vital role in many physical phenomena, including electricity, magnetism, and chemistry. They are also essential for life, as they are involved in the chemical reactions that are necessary for metabolism.