Questions tagged [electron]

Anything related to the behavior and properties of electrons, i.e. the elementary subatomic particles accounting for electrical conduction in most solid materials, especially metals.

Electron (e- or -1e0) is a negatively-charged (-1), lightweight-type subatomic-particle with possible spin state +1/2 or -1/2.

Electrons form a diffused, negatively-charge quantum-cloud (differentiated into shells, subshells and orbitals), around the nucleus (that is a heavyweight, compact lump of particles protons (+1 charged) and neutron (Zero-charged)). The electronic configuration determines most physical properties and all chemical properties of a substance.

A group of electrons, loosely bound to the atom, called "Free electrons", that exist in "conduction band", cause good electrical and thermal conductivity in metals, metal-alloys and such loose-electrons conduct electricity in semiconductors.

Isolated electrons found in the electron-beams (cathode-ray) at CRT(Cathode-Ray-Tube) , and the "space-charge" in vacuum tubes (valves). The word "Electronics" is direct derivative of the term electron. The physics of the particle electron, is key to both solid-state electronics and Vacuum, low-pressure-gas and plasma electronics.

See also Wikipedia on electrons.

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What actually happens to electrons in a circuit when work is done at a component?

As the title. Between when voltage is higher; before the electrons reach the component, and afterwards.
ramose
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Is there a mnemonic to remember direction of current flow?

I have always stumbled when remembering which current flow notation to use. In my mind, it's by default conventional current flow. But, I also have in mind electron flow notation. Do you know of a mnemonic (i.e. a quick memory trick) to remember…
Nick Bolton
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Protons and DC circuit

In a metal wire, do protons flow in the opposite direction from the positive terminal, like electrons do from the negative terminal towards the positive terminal?
Max R.
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Why is electron flow taught in some contexts?

The standard as I learned it is that the flow of current is from positive voltage to negative voltage. The direction of current flow is opposite the direction of electron flow. This is what I learned in school, the assumption made by almost every…
Stephen Collings
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Can electron microscopes record video of electricity?

Since electron microscopes capture electrons, can they be used to capture electrons moving in a circuit, and have they been used for this?
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Do electrons flow from higher to lower or lower to higher potential?

I have seen countless sites saying electrons flow from higher potential to lower potential, but then again I have seen many saying that electrons flow from lower potential to higher. I have always imagined it as a hill which is a high potential and…
PaAnda
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How is current the derivative of charge

If electric current is the time rate of CHANGE of charge. Then if I have a DC fixed current flowing into a resistor, same amount of charge is always flowing to that resistor, hence the derivative of charge is 0, so current is 0? Or does the book…
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Effective Mass of Electrons

In electronics, the fact that mobility of electrons is higher than the mobility of holes is frequently used. How can we explain this using effective mass of electrons and holes ?
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Diode AND gate electron flow

In a two input diode AND gate, when both inputs are low, both diodes conduct and pull the output down to a low voltage. How can the electrons flow to the input of the AND gate, when the input is connected to the - side of the battery?
Road
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What happens to an electron when he returns home after doing his job?

When an electron turns on a LED, a lamp or moves an engine, I guess the electron is not lost, what happens is that it loses energy What really happens, "returns home" in an orbit lower than he had before doing his job? Thanks
Mario
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What happens when switch is open

In a simple circuit, composed only of a lamp, a generator and a switch that connects the generator to the lamp. What happens with electric current when the switch is open? Electrons turn around? They go in the air scattered in infinity (lol)? I…
7hsk
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What is the energy in "electron-volts" of an electron that has risen though a potential of 3V?

I came across this question when reading about semiconductors, and found out I didn't really get the concept of electron volt with respect to voltage and electric field applied to an electron. So the question is: What is the energy in…
user1245
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Another way to increase Tungsten filament resistance?

I understand that the thing that allow a lightbulb to glow white high is the fast amount of resistance the electrons face with all the many spiral the filament has. But I need a thicker more resistant filament so is there another way to increase…
DeusIIXII
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Two power sources

Please consider a circuit with two loops where the two loops have a common part with a single resistor. There are two power supplies (or of it matters say these are voltage sources, like batteries, say the 9v and or 1.5v ones that can be acquired in…
ssheep
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How many Electrons make a bit?

A bit, correct me if i'm wrong, is a digital signal which can be 0 or 1. To determine its value, a processor awaits an X amount of time. My question is: is there any way to determine how many electrons passed through the processor to make that bit?…
Orange Orange
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