What is the charge and mass of an electron?

Study for the ALEKS Placement Chemistry Exam. Review flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your chemistry exam!

An electron carries a charge of -1 elementary charge, which is often denoted as -1e. This means it has a negative charge relative to protons, which have a positive charge of +1e. The mass of an electron is approximately 9.109 x 10^-31 kilograms, which is effectively considered to be negligible compared to the mass of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom. In many contexts, especially in basic chemistry, it’s simplified to being referred to as 0 in comparisons of mass, wherein the focus is primarily on the interaction of charged particles rather than their exact masses.

Thus, the combination of having a charge of -1 and a mass considered negligible aligns with the characteristics of an electron.

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