Electrons to Quarks

Subatomic Particles:

from Electrons to Quarks

Rakesh Mohan Hallen

Electrons

• Can an electron reverse its spin from +1/2 to -1/2 or vice versa?

• Why is a magnetic field created by the flow of electrons?

• How was an electron born? Why does it move around the nucleus?

• Is an electron divisible into other particles?

• From where do the electrons get the energy to revolve around the nucleus?

• How is it possible that though the drift velocity of the electron is 0.1cm/s to 1cm/s when the light is switched on the bulb starts glowing immediately.

• Is there any way to distinguish between two electrons not located in the same atom but having equal energy and parallel spin?

• Who was the first person to see the electron with his naked eyes?

‘Electron’ like ‘atom’ is a concept in science, which helps us to explain a vast array of natural phenomena. As was mentioned last month the concept of electron was conceived by Stoney and J. J. Thomson provided the experimental evidence for it.

The electron has a negative electric charge but it is not drawn into the