An electron is a subatomic particle that carries a negative electrical charge.

It is denoted by the symbol "e^-" or simply "e".

Electrons are fundamental particles and are considered one of the building blocks of matter.

Electrons are located outside the nucleus of an atom and are bound to the atom by electromagnetic forces. They orbit around the nucleus in specific energy levels or shells.

Each shell can hold a specific number of electrons, and the electrons occupy the lowest available energy levels before filling the higher levels.

The mass of an electron is extremely small compared to protons and neutrons.

It has a relative mass of about 1/1836 atomic mass units (u), which makes it about 1836 times lighter than a proton.

Electrons play a crucial role in determining the chemical and physical properties of atoms and molecules.

They are involved in the formation of chemical bonds, where they are shared or transferred between atoms to create compounds.

The arrangement and distribution of electrons in the orbitals of an atom determine its electronic configuration and, therefore, its chemical behavior.

Electrons are negatively charged particles and their movement or flow creates an electric current.

This property of electrons is exploited in various practical applications, such as power generation, electronics, and information technology.

It is important to note that electrons also exhibit wave-particle duality, which means that they can behave both like particles and like waves.

This wave-particle duality is described by quantum mechanics and has profound implications for the behavior and understanding of electrons in atomic and subatomic systems.

Overall, electrons are fundamental particles that contribute to the structure, properties, and behavior of atoms and molecules.

They are crucial for understanding various phenomena in chemistry, physics and technology.