electron[ē lek′trän′, i-; also, -trən]
- The definition of an electron is the lightest basic electrically-charged particle.
An example of an electron is what orbits the nucleus of an atom.
Origin of electroncoined (1891) by G. J. Stoney (1826-1911), Irish physicist ; from electr(ic) + -on
Origin of electronelectr(ic) + (i)on.
From electr(ic) + (i)on, originally proposed as the name for the electric charge associated with a univalent ion. Compare electro-,-on.
electron - Computer Definition
An elementary particle of matter that carries a negative charge of approximately 1.6021
An elementary particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom. There is one electron for every proton in the nucleus, which keeps the atom "electrically neutral," as electrons are considered to have a negative charge and protons a positive charge. Electron Imbalance Creates a Charge When the number of electrons and protons are unequal, the atom is electrically charged. If there are more electrons than protons, it is negatively charged; if fewer electrons, it is positively charged. Electrical generators strip electrons away from their atoms to provide electricity, and electrons are removed, as well as added, to enable other electrical effects (see ion and n-type silicon). See atom, quantum state, wave-particle duality and photon.