What is the electric charge of an electron?

The electric charge of an electron is negative. This fundamental characteristic of the electron is critical in the study of physics, as it is one of the basic building blocks of matter. The negative charge of the electron plays a significant role in the electromagnetic force, which is one of the four fundamental forces in nature.

Electrons are subatomic particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom and possess a relatively small mass compared to protons and neutrons, which have a positive charge and a neutral charge, respectively. Understanding the negative charge of the electron helps in grasping concepts such as electric currents, conductivity, and chemical bonding, where the balance of positive and negative charges determines the behavior of atoms and molecules.

The distinction between negative, positive, and neutral charges underpins much of the theory behind electrical interactions and is essential in various applications, including radiology, where the interactions between charged particles and electromagnetic fields are significant.