Electron

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The electron is a subatomic particle (symbol e- or β-) whose electric charge is negative one elementary charge.

Electrons belong to the first generation of the lepton particle family, and are generally thought to be elementary particles because they have no known components or substructure. The electron has a mass that is approximately 1/1836 that of the proton.

Although electrons are normally invisible to the naked eye, and require powerful instruments to be detected, it's possible to create solvated electrons, aka an ionic compound in which an electron is the anion, by dissolving (reacting) an alkali metal in anhydrous ammonia. The solution turns deep blue, a consequence of the free electrons from solution.

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