Ode to the Electron
/in Science/by Catherine HaslagIt’s a very small bit of matter,
9.1094×10^-31kg in mass,
but don’t let its nanoscopic size fool you.
This minuscule molecular
pulls more than its weight.
It is one of three subatomic particles
that make up the atoms
that make up the universe.
When transferred to another atom or shared,
it helps hold everything together.
When focused as an accelerated beam,
it can allow us to see the surface
of cells, crystals, and metal.
It prefers to pair up
and can be very destructive when left alone.
When left to travel
along a membrane in the mitochondria,
it helps produce enough power
for you to run a marathon.
And on the 4th of July,
it gets excited, then relaxes
and puts on a pretty colorful show.
So celebrate the electron,
an extremely tiny particle
that performs extraordinary feats!