An electron is a tiny object that carries a negative electric charge. Electrons move around the nucleus of an atom and determine many properties of materials, such as whether they can conduct electricity or are magnetic. In very simple terms, electrons can be imagined as very small, invisible balls that “orbit” around the atomic nucleus.
However, quantum physics shows that electrons do not simply travel along fixed paths like small balls. Instead, they behave like waves and particles at the same time. Therefore, one can only specify the probability of where an electron is currently located – it can be in several places at once, so to speak. Electrons can also be entangled, meaning that the behavior of one electron is directly linked to another electron, even if they are far apart.
This special behavior makes electrons central building blocks of quantum research. They are crucial for quantum computers, quantum communication, and other technologies based on the strange rules of the quantum world.