What is the mass of an electron?

The mass of an electron is approximately 9.11 x 10^-31 kilograms, which is fundamental to understanding the behavior of particles in physics. This value is crucial in many equations and applications, including calculations involving atomic structure, quantum mechanics, and electromagnetism.

Understanding the significance of the mass of an electron helps in explaining various phenomena, such as why electrons can exhibit wave-like properties or how they interact with electric and magnetic fields. The accepted value is a critical parameter in the Standard Model of particle physics, where precise measurements of particle masses influence theoretical predictions and experimental designs.

The other values provided reflect either incorrect magnitudes or denote the masses of other particles. The value listed as 1.6 x 10^-19 kg is more akin to the charge of an electron rather than its mass. The mass mentioned as 1.673 x 10^-27 kg corresponds to the mass of a nucleon, such as a proton or neutron. The option stating 9.11 x 10^-28 kg is off by a factor of ten, demonstrating a common area of confusion around scientific notation and the scales of fundamental particles. Thus, 9.11 x 10^-31 kg is the precise and accurate representation of the