Which charge is associated with an electron?

An electron is an elementary particle that carries a fundamental unit of negative electrical charge. This characteristic is crucial to the behavior of atoms and the formation of chemical bonds. Electrons are found in the outer regions of atoms, and their negative charge contributes to the overall charge of the atom when considered alongside protons, which have a positive charge. In electrical circuits, the flow of electrons constitutes electric current, which is essential in understanding how electricity operates.

The negative charge of electrons plays a significant role in various physical and chemical processes, such as electricity conduction, atomic bonding, and electrochemical reactions. This intrinsic property fundamentally influences how materials interact with one another and helps explain the behavior of charged particles in electric and magnetic fields. Understanding the concept of charge is pivotal in grasping more complex electrical and electronic phenomena.