
A depiction of a piece of amber, named from Greek term for sun “ηλεχτορ” or ilechtor, pronounced "elector", which, owing to its electrostatic properties, i.e. it attract straw and small pieces of paper when rubbed, is the root behind the terms electron and electricity.

A depiction of a piece of amber, named from Greek term for sun “ηλεχτορ” or ilechtor, pronounced "elector", which, owing to its electrostatic properties, i.e. it attract straw and small pieces of paper when rubbed, is the root behind the terms electron and electricity.

In matter, amber (TR=8) is a hard yellowish to brownish translucent tree resin; often used as polish and for ornaments; noted for its electric like properties and for its preserving ability of ancient organisms, such as bacteria.

Etymology
Amber is named after an early Greek word for the sun, ηλεχτορ, pronounced "elector", which was often used to describe amber, because of its sunshiny color; amber, subsequently, came to be called "electron" by the Greek classic writers. [1]

Electric properties
Greek thinker Thales, in circa 580BC, is credited with having been the first to noted that when amber was rubbed, straw attracted to it. [2] Thales theorized that “spirit” is what gave amber its properties: [3]

In circa 300BC, Theophrastus, the successor to Aristotle in the Peripatetic school, is said to be the first author to make a distinct mark on the subject of the electrical properties of amber. [4]

Quotes
The following are related quotes:

“As amber attracts a straw, so does beauty admiration, which only lasts while the warmth continues.”
— Robert Burton (1621), The Anatomy of Melancholy

See also
● Loadstone

References
1. Fowler, Michael. (1997). “Historical Beginnings of Theories of Electricity and Magnetism” (Ѻ), University of Virginia, Physics.
2. Voldman, Steven H. (2004). ESD Physics and Devices (pg. 1). John Wiley & Sons.
3. Buchner, Ludwig. (1855). Force and Matter: Principles of the Natural Order of the Universe, with a System of Morality Based Thereon (15th German edition; 4th English edition) (pg. 12). London: Asher and Co, 1884.
4. (a) Barlow, Peter. (1814). A New Mathematical and Philosophical Dictionary (§:Electricity, pg. #). Publisher.
(b) Theophrastus – Wikipedia.

External links
● Amber – Wikipedia.