Electrical Fundamentals

8 of 36


 
 


ELECTRONS
Electrons orbit around the nucleus of the atom (shown in yellow).

Electrons are negatively (-) charged.

Since electrons are lighter than protons and are outside the nucleus, they can be easily moved from atom to atom to form a flow of electrons. Normally electrons are prevented from being pulled into the atom by the forward momentum of their rotation. Electrons are also prevented from flying away because of the magnetic attraction of the protons inside the nucleus, the same type of force that keeps the planets orbiting around the sun.