electron
gb/ɪlˈɛktɹɔn/ us/ɪlˈɛktɹɔn/
C1
Anglais
Sens
0 sens
Nom
technical
C1
entity
1
Negatively charged subatomic particle
A very small particle with a negative electric charge.
Schéma d’usage :
an electron; electrons
Erreur fréquente :
Learners often confuse electrons (negative) with protons (positive) or neutrons (no charge).
Antonymes
positron (An antiparticle with the same mass as an electron but a positive charge.)
Collocations
free electron
|electron charge
|electron mass
|electron energy
|electron spin
|electron level
|electron pair
|electron flow
|electron emission
|electron scattering
Thèmes
physics
|science
|chemistry
Exemples
- An electron has a negative electric charge.
- When an atom gains an extra electron, it becomes negatively charged.
- Scientists measured the electron’s energy in the experiment.
Exemples pédagogiques
- An electron is very small.
- Electrons have a negative charge.
Nom
technical
C1
entity
2
Electron in an atom or molecule
An electron that is part of an atom or molecule.
Schéma d’usage :
an electron in [an atom/molecule]; valence electrons
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may think electrons move in fixed circular paths; in modern descriptions they occupy orbitals (regions of probability).
Collocations
valence electron
|outer electron
|inner electron
|electron orbital
|electron pair
|unpaired electron
|electron level
|electron arrangement
|electron distribution
|shared electrons
Thèmes
chemistry
|science
|education
Exemples
- Sodium has one valence electron that it readily loses.
- The two atoms share a pair of electrons in a covalent bond.
- Removing an electron from the atom requires energy.
Exemples pédagogiques
- This atom has two electrons in its outer shell.
Nom
technical
C1
role
3
Charge carrier in electric current
A moving electron that carries electricity in a wire or device.
Schéma d’usage :
electrons flow through [a wire/material]; electron flow
Erreur fréquente :
Learners often mix up electron flow (negative to positive) with conventional current direction (positive to negative).
Antonymes
hole (In semiconductors, a ‘hole’ acts like a positive charge carrier opposite to electrons.)
Collocations
electron flow
|electron drift
|electron mobility
|conduction electrons
|electron current
|electron transport
|electron conduction
|electron-hole pair
|electron injection
|electron loss
Thèmes
electronics
|physics
|technology
Exemples
- In a metal wire, electrons move through the lattice when a voltage is applied.
- The device works by controlling the flow of electrons through a thin channel.
- Higher electron mobility allows faster switching in some semiconductors.
Exemples pédagogiques
- Electrons can flow through a wire.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
electron
API
GB/ɪlˈɛktɹɔn/
US/ɪlˈɛktɹɔn/
Syllabes et accentuation
elec - tron (2 syllabes)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tron)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: electron
- Plural: electrons
Famille de mots
Forms
electrons
noun
Core family
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
non-electronic
adjective
Advanced or less common
electromagnetic
adjective C1
electromagnetism
noun
Expressions
electron beam
1/ɪlˈɛktɹɔn bˈim/
fixed phrase
technical
Stream of electrons
A thin stream of electrons used in machines and experiments.
Exemples
- The electron beam was focused onto the surface to create a detailed image.
- Electron-beam lithography can produce extremely fine patterns.
- The operator adjusted the electron beam to improve resolution.
electron cloud
1/ɪlˈɛktɹɔn klˈaʊd/
fixed phrase
technical
Region where electrons are likely
The space around the nucleus where electrons are likely to be.
Exemples
- The electron cloud model explains why electrons don’t follow neat circular orbits.
- In this diagram, the shaded area represents the electron cloud.
- Chemical bonds form when electron clouds overlap.
electron configuration
1/ɪlˈɛktɹɔn kənfˌɪɡjɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
Arrangement of electrons in atom
How electrons are arranged in an atom.
Exemples
- Chlorine’s electron configuration helps explain its tendency to form ions.
- The table lists the electron configuration for each element.
- Ions have different electron configurations from their neutral atoms.
electron density
1/ɪlˈɛktɹɔn dˈɛnsɪti/
fixed phrase
technical
Amount of electron charge in space
A way to describe where electrons are concentrated.
Exemples
- The double bond has higher electron density than a single bond.
- The map shows electron density around the atoms in the crystal.
- Adding an electron-withdrawing group reduces electron density in the ring.
electron microscope
1/ɪlˈɛktɹɔn mˈaɪkɹoʊskˌoʊp/
fixed phrase
technical
Microscope using electron beams
A powerful microscope that uses electrons to make an image.
Exemples
- The researchers examined the virus under an electron microscope.
- Electron microscopes can reveal structures far smaller than a typical light microscope.
- The sample had to be prepared carefully before electron microscope imaging.
electron shell
1/ɪlˈɛktɹɔn ʃˈɛl/
fixed phrase
technical
Energy level around nucleus
A layer (energy level) where electrons can be in an atom.
Exemples
- Atoms are most reactive when their outer electron shell is not full.
- The first electron shell can hold a maximum of two electrons.
- Electrons in inner shells are held more tightly by the nucleus.
electron transfer
1/ɪlˈɛktɹɔn tɹˈænsfɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
Movement of electrons between atoms
When an electron moves from one atom or molecule to another.
Exemples
- Rusting involves electron transfer from iron to oxygen.
- Electron transfer is central to many reactions in batteries.
- The protein complex enables electron transfer in photosynthesis.
free electron
1/fɹˈi ɪlˈɛktɹɔn/
fixed phrase
technical
Electron not bound to atom
An electron that can move freely, not attached to one atom.
Exemples
- Metals conduct well because they have many free electrons.
- In a plasma, free electrons and ions move independently.
- The model treats the metal as a sea of free electrons.