Elektróna

Elektróna is a subatomic particle with a negative elementary electric charge. It is a fundamental constituent of matter and a stable particle. Electrons are a type of lepton, belonging to the first generation of the periodic table of matter. The electron has a mass that is approximately 1/1836 that of the proton. Electrons are essential components of atoms, orbiting the atomic nucleus. The number of electrons in a neutral atom is equal to the number of protons in its nucleus.

The discovery of the electron is credited to J.J. Thomson in 1897 during experiments with cathode rays. He observed that these rays were deflected by electric and magnetic fields, indicating they were composed of negatively charged particles. The term "electron" was coined by George Johnstone Stoney in 1891, predating Thomson's experimental confirmation.

Electrons play a crucial role in chemical bonding, where they are shared or transferred between atoms to form molecules. Their movement is responsible for electrical current in conductors. Electrons also participate in various physical phenomena, including light emission and absorption, and are fundamental to the operation of many electronic devices such as transistors and lasers. The behavior of electrons is described by quantum mechanics, specifically by the Schrödinger equation.