Abstract:

Electron is an inseparable part of atom. The ancients believed that atoms could not be divied, and it was not until the late 19th century that Thomson discovered the existence of electron, which proved that atom is redividable. After that, the complex and challenging journey to uncover the volatility of electrons, electron spin, and positrons led to groundbreaking discoveries, which resulted in numerous of Nobel Prizes were awarded in Physics. The discovery of electron played an important role in promoting the birth of quantum mechani. It was through the meticulous examination of atomic structure models that the scientists progressively ventured into the realms of quantum mechanics and quantum field theory. Similarly, electrons have played a positive role in promoting our understanding of various materials, leading to the development of to many theories, such as Lorentz’s free electron theory, Sommerfeld model, and band theory. Especially band theory has led to a revolution in modern electronic technology, ushering humanity into the information age.