Physics: from Electron to Universe
... and what about your cellphone or the large TV in your living room?
In 1897 .. when J. J. Thompson conclusively discovered electrons,
many might have wondered what could be the use of learning about
such small particles ... a few millions of which can be accomodated
on the tip of a needle.
[Electron's 'classical' radius is about 2.8 X 10^(-15) meter
which means you need to divide 2.8 meters by 1 million billion.
Why 'classical?' - Be patient. We'll explain that later]
But within a few decades the world got revolutionized mainly with
the use of electricity (which is nothing but flow of electrons in wires)
and the great discovery of semiconductors in which energy of electron
is controlled in such a way that the device can be assigned to do
various kinds of logical operation and used to make wonderful
things ... like radio, T.V, telephone .... computer .... microwave oven..
Our modern day life is so much dependent on electrons that we
almost forget that these is being put to work day and night like slaves
by our technology experts for helping us to communicate and do
important jobs and provide us comfort!
Electron is a true revolution in mankind's history.
Alas! We never celebrate it!