The Definition of Free Electrons

Electrons are extremely small subatomic particles with the lowest mass of any electrically charged particles. While most electrons circle the nucleus in a constant orbit, free electrons float outside the atom, unattached to any ion, atom or molecule.

Free Electrons Versus Orbiting Electrons

• Electrons typically have the same number of protons in a single atom, to maintain balance. While protons are located inside the nucleus, most electrons orbit the nucleus from outside of it. The farther an atom is from the nucleus, the more likely it can break from its orbit and bond with another atom.

Chemical Bonds

• Free electrons outside can be manipulated under the influence of applied electric or magnetic fields to form chemical bonds between different types of atoms, resulting in new chemical bonds or compounds. Table salt is an everyday example of two elements, sodium metal and chlorine gas, under the pull of an electromagnetic charge, combining and sharing electrons to form a new compound.

Covalent Compounds

• Covalent compounds are created when atoms are bonded and share electrons instead of transferring electrons between each other. This sharing of free electrons results in the shared elements having roughly the same electromagnetic charge.

Ionic Compounds

• Ionic compounds are formed when one atom has an negative charge and another has a positive charge. The two atoms are magnetically attracted to each other, forming a bond, but not sharing their electrons.