Visualization Mode
1897
J.J. Thomson
e⁻
Charge
−1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ C
Mass
9.109 × 10⁻³¹ kg
Spin
½ (Fermion)
Conduction
Valence
Copper
Conductor
Conduction
↑
1.1 eV
↓
Valence
Silicon
Semiconductor
Conduction
↑
9 eV
↓
Valence
Glass (SiO₂)
Insulator
−
Cathode
+
Anode
→
Conventional Current
Electrons flow ← opposite to conventional current direction
🌍
~10⁵¹
Electrons in Earth
💻
10²¹/sec
Moved by computers
⚡
2.2 × 10⁶ m/s
Bohr orbital speed (H ground state)
🔬
< 10⁻²² m
Size (point-like)
Electron Flow
Material
Size Comparison
Electron
~0 m
Proton
10⁻¹⁵ m
Atom
10⁻¹⁰ m
Transistor
3 nm
Hair
100 μm
Why Electrons?
Electrons are the workhorses of computation. They're light (easy to move), charged (respond to electric fields), and quantum (enable transistor physics). Every bit, every calculation, every pixel — it's all controlled electron flow.
Mind-blowing: When you press a key, you move about 10¹⁵ electrons. Your phone moves 10¹⁸ electrons per second. All of humanity's computers combined move more electrons per second than stars in the observable universe!
💥
Holy Shit Moment
"All of digital civilization runs on controlled electron flow."