electron

[ih-lek-tron] /ɪˈlɛk trɒn/
noun
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 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.
Origin
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 (see electric)
Examples from the web for electron
  • Clearly, both men were eager to resume doing what they do best, which is game plan down to the last electron.
  • In order to understand what a particular electron is up to, one takes a sum of all of its possible histories.
  • The electron source needs to be a metal, and the usual choice is aluminium.
  • By 1911, scientists had already measured the charge and mass of an electron.
  • The electron is one of the basic constituents of matter.
  • The first step in atomic research was to recognize the existence of the outer electron shell and to study its laws.
  • Scientists measure that electron accumulation by exposing the grains to light in a lab, releasing the particles.
  • These ions then organize electron flows throughout the cell, bringing power to wherever it is needed.
  • Hydrogen, the simplest atom, consists of a single proton encircled by a single electron.
  • The transit of physical products does not match the ease of electron packets.
British Dictionary definitions for 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 × 10–19 coulomb, a rest mass of 9.109 381 88 × 10–31 kilogram, a radius of 2.817 940 285 × 10–15 metre, and a spin of 1/2
Word Origin
C19: from electro- + -on
Word Origin and History for electron
n.

coined 1891 by Irish physicist George J. Stoney (1826-1911) from electric + -on, as in ion (q.v.). Electron microscope translates German Elektronenmikroskop (1932).

electron in Medicine

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.

electron in Science
electron
(ĭ-lěk'trŏn')

  1. A stable elementary particle in the lepton family having a mass at rest of 9.107 × 10-28 grams and an 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. Compare positron. See also electromagnetism, elementary particle, ion. See Table at subatomic particle.

  2. A positron or a negatron. See more at negatron.


electron in Culture
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.
electron in Technology

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)