electron

n electron is a tiny particle that is found in all atoms. It has a negative electrical charge, and it is much smaller than the nucleus of an atom. Electrons orbit the nucleus of an atom, and they are responsible for the chemical properties of the atom.

Electrons are so small that they cannot be seen with a microscope. They are about 1/1836 the mass of a proton, which is the other main particle found in an atom. Protons have a positive charge, so electrons and protons have opposite charges. This attraction between the negative electrons and the positive protons holds the atom together.

Electrons orbit the nucleus of an atom in shells. The first shell can hold up to two electrons, the second shell can hold up to eight electrons, and so on. The number of electrons in an atom's shells determines the chemical properties of the atom.

For example, an atom of oxygen has eight electrons. Two of these electrons are in the first shell, and six of them are in the second shell. This means that oxygen is a very reactive element, because it can easily gain or lose electrons to other atoms.

Electrons are responsible for the chemical properties of atoms because they can be transferred from one atom to another. When electrons are transferred, they create ions. An ion is an atom that has lost or gained electrons. Positive ions have lost electrons, and negative ions have gained electrons.

The transfer of electrons is what allows chemical reactions to happen. Chemical reactions are the basis of all life on Earth, so electrons play a vital role in our existence.

Electrons are responsible for electricity and magnetism.