electron charge

physics

Also known as: ε, elementary charge, fundamental charge

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Last Updated: Oct 17, 2024 • Article History

Key People:: Robert Millikan

Related Topics:: electron; electric charge; physical constant; Millikan oil-drop experiment; charge conservation

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electron charge, (symbol e), fundamental physical constant expressing the naturally occurring unit of electric charge, equal to 1.602176634 × 10⁻¹⁹ coulomb. In addition to the electron, all freely existing charged subatomic particles thus far discovered have an electric charge equal to this value or some whole-number multiple of it. Quarks, which are always bound within larger subatomic particles such as protons and neutrons, have charges of 1/3 or 2/3 of this value.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Erik Gregersen.