Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'electron'

English Word: electron

Key Russian Translations:

• электрон /ɨlʲɪkˈtron/ - [Formal, Scientific context; Used in physics and technical discussions]

Frequency: High (Especially in scientific, educational, and technical contexts; commonly encountered in Russian literature on physics and engineering.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1; Involves familiarity with loanwords and basic scientific vocabulary, but requires understanding of Russian noun declensions for accurate usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

электрон: /ɨlʲɪkˈtron/ (The stress is on the third syllable; note the palatalized 'л' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.)

Note on электрон: The pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech, with the 'э' sound softening to /ɪ/ in some dialects, but standard Russian maintains /ɨ/. Pay attention to the vowel harmony in connected speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A subatomic particle with a negative electric charge, fundamental in atomic structure and electronics.

Translation(s) & Context:

• электрон - Used in formal scientific, educational, and technical contexts to describe the particle in physics, chemistry, or engineering discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Электрон вращается вокруг ядра атома.

  Electron orbits the nucleus of an atom. (This example demonstrates the word in a basic atomic structure context, showing its role in physics explanations.)

• Потеря электрона приводит к ионизации.

  Loss of an electron leads to ionization. (Here, it illustrates the word in a chemical process, highlighting electron transfer in reactions.)

• В микроэлектронике электрон играет ключевую роль в работе транзисторов.

  In microelectronics, the electron plays a key role in the operation of transistors. (This shows the word in a technological application, emphasizing its importance in modern engineering.)

• Электрон имеет отрицательный заряд и малую массу.

  The electron has a negative charge and a small mass. (This example provides a descriptive usage in scientific definitions.)

• Изучение электрона открыло новые горизонты в квантовой физике.

  The study of the electron opened new horizons in quantum physics. (This demonstrates the word in a historical or theoretical context, showing its broader implications.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Электрон" is a masculine noun of the first declension in Russian. It follows standard patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant, with changes in cases but no irregularities. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The plural form is used when referring to multiple electrons, as in scientific contexts involving particles.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • элементарная частица (elementary particle; more general term, often used interchangeably in broader contexts)
  • электрический зарядный носитель (electric charge carrier; emphasizes the functional aspect in electronics)
• Antonyms:
  • протон (proton; as it has a positive charge, contrasting the electron's negative charge)

Related Phrases:

• электронный заряд (electronic charge) - Refers to the charge associated with an electron, commonly used in physics to describe electrical properties.
• электронный поток (electron flow) - Describes the movement of electrons in circuits, essential in electronics and engineering contexts.
• атомный электрон (atomic electron) - A phrase used to specify electrons in atomic structures, often in chemistry or quantum mechanics discussions.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "электрон" directly corresponds to the English "electron" as a scientific term, but it's important to use the correct case based on sentence structure. For instance, in prepositional phrases like "в электроне" (in the electron), the prepositional case is required. English speakers should note that Russian often pairs this word with adjectives like "свободный" (free) in contexts like "свободный электрон" for free electron in semiconductors. When choosing between translations, "электрон" is the most precise; avoid using more general terms unless the context demands it.

• Always consider the grammatical gender and declension to ensure agreement with adjectives and verbs.
• In informal settings, it's rarely used outside technical discussions, so limit to formal or educational contexts.

Common Errors:

One common mistake for English learners is incorrect declension, such as using the nominative "электрон" in all cases (e.g., saying "о электрон" instead of "об электроне"). Correct usage: "Об электроне мы узнали в школе" (We learned about the electron in school). Another error is confusing it with "электричество" (electricity), which is broader; for example, incorrectly saying "электричество" when meaning "electron" in a particle physics context. Always specify the context to avoid ambiguity.

Cultural Notes:

As a scientific term derived from Greek roots, "электрон" doesn't carry significant cultural connotations in Russian beyond its role in modern science. However, it reflects Russia's strong tradition in physics, with pioneers like Dmitri Mendeleev contributing to atomic theory, which indirectly influenced how such terms are integrated into everyday Russian scientific discourse.

Related Concepts:

• протон (proton)
• нейтрон (neutron)
• атом (atom)
• квант (quantum)