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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]], still has 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 |accessdate=2011-03-28}}
 
</ref>
 
::''e'' = 1.602 176 487 × 10<sup>-19</sup> C
 
It is a [[electron spin|spin-½]] [[lepton]] of mass<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=2011-03-28}}
 
</ref>
::''m<sub>e</sub>''= 9.109&thinsp;382&thinsp;15 &times; 10<sup>&minus;31</sup> kg.
 
It has a [[gyromagnetic ratio]]<ref name=NIST2>
 
{{cite web |title=Electron gyromagnetic ratio  |url=http://physics.nist.gov/cgi-bin/cuu/Value?eqgammae|search_for=gyromagnetic+ratio |work=The NIST reference on constants, units, and uncertainty |accessdate=2011-03-28}}
 
</ref>
 
::''&gamma;<sub>e</sub>'' = 1.760 859 770 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?eqmub|search_for=Bohr+magneton |work=The NIST reference on constants, units, and uncertainty |accessdate=2011-03-28}}
 
</ref>
 
::''&mu;<sub>B</sub>'' = 927.400 915 x 10<sup>-26</sup> J/ T.
 
Because of its 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]], still has 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]].


==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>

Revision as of 11:12, 30 March 2011

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

e = 1.602 176 487 × 10-19 C

It is a spin-½ lepton of mass[2]

me= 9.109 382 15 × 10−31 kg.

It has a gyromagnetic ratio[3]

γe = 1.760 859 770 x 1011 s-1 T-1

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

μB = 927.400 915 x 10-26 J/ T.

Because of its 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, still has its use in electrical engineering and many branches of physics. Together with atomic nuclei, electrons constitute atoms and molecules. Their (quantum mechanical) interaction with adjacent nuclei causes chemical bonding and bonding in crystals.

References

  1. Elementary charge. The NIST reference on constants, units, and uncertainty. Retrieved on 2011-03-28.
  2. Electron mass. The NIST reference on constants, units, and uncertainty. Retrieved on 2011-03-28.
  3. Electron gyromagnetic ratio. The NIST reference on constants, units, and uncertainty. Retrieved on 2011-03-28.
  4. Bohr magneton. The NIST reference on constants, units, and uncertainty. Retrieved on 2011-03-28.