Electron Theory is the study of the effects produced by electrons and the laws deduced to govern their behaviour. It is used as the basis for the design of all electrical and electronic apparatus, and to explain physical and chemical action, and to help scientists probe the nature of life, the universe, and everything.

Why Theory

Electron Theory matches the effects produced by a fundamental particle or force of the natural world in which we live. No one has actually seen an electron therefore the effects it produces will continue to be theoretical until proved conclusively to exist, or proved to be something else, or proved false. Electron Theory has credence because all measurements and effects remain consistent with the theory, and have done so for a long time.

Fundamental Matter

All matter consists in various combinations of atoms of different atomic weight. Overall, there are 105 elements: the first 92 occur naturally, 93 through 105 are man-made by transmutation.

Molecules

A molecule represents the finest division of a substance that still retains the characteristics of that substance.

For example: a single molecule of water still acts like water. A molecule of water is composed of two elements: hydrogen and oxygen in the ratio of two atoms of hydrogen to one of oxygen.

Atoms

An atom is the smallest division of an element that still retains the characteristics of that element.

An atom is composed of a positively charged nucleus orbited by a number of negatively charged electrons. In orbit the number of electrons match the number of protons in the nucleus.

Nucleus

Nucleus of an atom consists in a combination of protons and neutrons that exhibit a positive charge overall.

Proton

A proton is one of the components of a nucleus that carries a positive charge.

Neutron

A neutron is one of the components of a nucleus that carries a neutral charge, behaving like a combination of a proton and an electron.

Electron

An electron is a component of an atom that orbits the nucleus. It has a negative charge and is practically without mass.

Free Electrons

A free electron is one that has left its orbit of the nucleus to move freely through a material. Usually it is the electrons in the outer orbital shells that can be made to break free because they are farthest away from the nucleus where the attractive forces are weakest.

Charge

An electric charge is a static or potential effect produced by a surplus or deficiency of electrons. Charge will exist in one of three states: positive, negative, or neutral.

Positive Charge

Where there is a deficiency of electrons there will exist a positive charge.

Negative Charge

Where there is a surplus of electrons there will exist a negative charge.

Neutral Charge

Where there is a sufficiency of electrons there will exist a neutral charge that is neither positive or negative.

Electric Current

An electric current is produced by a flow of free electrons in a conducting material. It is the kinetic effect produced by the movement of free electrons from one part of a conducting medium to another.