What is the charge of electrons?

Electrons are subatomic particles that possess a fundamental property known as electric charge. The charge of electrons is negative, which is a convention established in physics and chemistry. This negative charge is crucial because it plays a key role in the formation of atoms, chemical bonding, and the behavior of matter at a microscopic level. Electrons are found in orbitals surrounding the nucleus of an atom and are responsible for electrical conductivity, as they can move freely under the influence of an electric field. Their negative charge is equal in magnitude to the positive charge of protons, allowing for electrically neutral atoms when the number of electrons equals the number of protons. Thus, the characterization of electrons as negatively charged is a foundational concept in understanding atomic structure and electrical phenomena.