• Question: Why are Electrons called Electrons?

    Asked by jadeirelandkuyt to Davie, Gemma, James P, James V, Nuala on 27 Jun 2012.
    • Photo: James Verdon

      James Verdon answered on 27 Jun 2012:


      Hi jadeirelandkuyt,
      I don’t know for sure, but I’m guessing that it’s because electrons carry an electromagnetic charge. All electricity is basically electrons flowing around a circuit, so I guess it makes sense to call them electrons.

    • Photo: Nuala Carson

      Nuala Carson answered on 27 Jun 2012:


      Hey jadeirelandkuyt,

      Yeah i agree with James Verdon. The only other possibility was it was to do with the person who discovered electrons, but that was Johann Wilhelm Hittorf, so he obsiviously didnt name it after it after himself.

    • Photo: James Pope

      James Pope answered on 27 Jun 2012:


      Hi jadeirelandkuyt,

      The electron was named because it was the particle observed to be carrying an electrical charge, that is all I can remember from when I learnt about the particles.

    • Photo: Gemma Purser

      Gemma Purser answered on 28 Jun 2012:


      Hi jadeirelandkuyt,

      I would agree with James V, becuase they are negative particles that carry electrical charge and like Nuala’s explanation! To call it a Hittorf would feel really weird!

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