Courses
Courses for Kids
Free study material
Offline Centres
More
Store Icon
Store
seo-qna
SearchIcon
banner

Why are free electrons named so?

Answer
VerifiedVerified
494.4k+ views
Hint: As we know that the atom is the smallest particle which is found in a chemical element. Each solid, liquid, and gas are composed with ionized or neutral atoms. The size of the atom is extremely small, around $100$ picometers across. An atom is made up of three subatomic particles and that is, neutrons, protons and electrons. And most of the atoms are stable. The electrons contain the negative charge and it is smaller than the nucleus.

Complete answer:The electrons are occupied on the outside of the orbit and it carries the negative charge. And it moves from the negatively charged side to the positively charged side. And the proton carries positive charge and the neutrons are electrically neutral. The electrons are moved around the nucleus, but some of the electrons are not bound to the nucleus. And these electrons easily come out of the orbit when enough energy is applied to the electrons and it will not influence the nucleus. The electrons which are not bound to the nucleus are known as free electrons. And these free electrons are named so because it moves around freely and it will not attach to the nucleus. And these free electrons do not have electromagnetic force. These free electrons are responsible for passing heat and electricity by moving through the substance. The conductors contain more free electrons but the insulator does not contain the free electrons.

Note:
We need to know that the free electrons are moved around the nucleus and it will not attach to the nucleus. And it does not have electromagnetic force. These free electrons are responsible for conducting heat and electricity. The insulator does not contain free electrons. Because it does not carry free electrons. Conductors contain more free electrons. So, it is a good conductor of electricity.