Electrons are classified as leptons in the Standard Model of particle physics, meaning they are elementary particles with no known substructure. Their key characteristics include: They have an extremely small rest mass of about kg, which is roughly 1/1,836th the mass of a proton.

Atoms generally seek a full outer shell (often eight electrons, known as the octet rule ) to reach a stable, low-energy state.

Like all quantum objects, electrons exhibit both particle-like and wave-like behavior, a property that can be demonstrated through the double-slit experiment. Role in Atoms and Chemistry

coulombs. Discovered in 1897 by J.J. Thomson , it was the first subatomic particle identified, forever changing our understanding of atomic structure. Fundamental Properties

The electrons in the outermost shell are known as valence electrons. They are primarily responsible for chemical bonding by being shared (covalent bonds) or transferred (ionic bonds) between atoms.

Electrons occupy regions called around an atom's nucleus. The arrangement of these electrons determines the chemical identity and reactivity of an element.

The is a fundamental subatomic particle that carries a negative electric charge of approximately

Electrons possess an intrinsic angular momentum, or spin, of