The electron (seembol:
e−
) is a subatomic particle wi a negative elementary electric charge.[1] Electrons belang tae the first generation o the lepton pairticle faimily,[2] an are generally thoucht tae be elementary pairticles acause thay hae na kent components or substructur.[3] The electron haes a mass that is approximately 1/1836 that o the proton.[4] Quantum mechanical properties o the electron include an intrinsic angular momentum (spin) o a hauf-integer value in units o ħ, which means that it is a fermion. Bein fermions, na twa electrons can occupy the same quantum state, in accordance wi the Pauli exclusion principle.[2] Electrons an aa hae properties o baith pairticles an waves, an sae can collide wi ither pairticles an can be diffractit lik licht. Experiments wi electrons best demonstrate this duality acause electrons hae a tiny mass.