Question

Who discovered the electron? Describe the experiment that led to the deduction that electrons are negatively charged particles.

Short answer

Answer: J.J. Thomson discovered the electron through a series of experiments using a cathode ray tube. In these experiments, he observed that when an electric and magnetic fields were applied perpendicular to the path of the cathode rays, the rays' deflection indicated they were negatively charged particles, later identified as electrons.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the scientist who discovered the electron

The scientist who discovered the electron was J.J. Thomson.

Describe the cathode ray tube experiment

The cathode ray tube experiment, conducted by J.J. Thomson, was a series of experiments that ultimately led to the discovery of the electron. Here is a step-by-step description of the experiment: 1. Thomson used a vacuum tube, known as the cathode ray tube, which consisted of two metal electrodes (a cathode and an anode) sealed in a glass tube with most of the air removed, creating a near-vacuum environment. 2. A high voltage was applied between the two electrodes, causing a flow of electric current through the tube. 3. As the voltage increased, a visible glow was observed in the tube, called the cathode rays. This glow was found to originate from the cathode and travel towards the anode.

Deduce the negative charge of the cathode rays

In order to determine the nature of the charge of the particles in the cathode rays, Thomson placed a magnetic field and an electric field perpendicular to the path of the cathode rays: 1. When the magnetic field was applied, the rays were deflected. When the electric field was applied, the rays were deflected in the opposite direction as the magnetic field. 2. This deflection showed that the particles in the cathode rays were charged particles. 3. The direction of the deflection in the combined electric and magnetic fields indicated that these charged particles had a negative charge. Thus, through J.J. Thomson's cathode ray tube experiment, it was deduced that electrons are negatively charged particles.

Key concepts

Electron Discovery

J.J. Thomson is widely acclaimed for the groundbreaking discovery of the electron, a fundamental particle that plays a crucial role in the world of physics and chemistry. Prior to Thomson's work, atoms were believed to be the smallest constituents of matter. The discovery of electrons, however, revolutionized this model by proving the existence of smaller, subatomic particles.

Thomson's work began in the late 19th century and it was during this period that he conducted a series of experiments which culminated in the revelation of the electron. This discovery challenged the long-standing assumption that atoms were indivisible. By the end of the 19th century, the foundation for the quantum model of the atom as we understand it today was being laid.

The revelation of the electron was not just a landmark discovery for physics but also a significant advancement for all branches of science. It opened up new avenues for research and led to technological advancements that have shaped modern electronics, communications, and computing. Understanding the nature and behavior of electrons has become central to the study of atomic and molecular structures.

Cathode Ray Tube Experiment

The cathode ray tube experiment was an ingenious setup through which J.J. Thomson unveiled the existence of the electron. The apparatus used was a glass tube from which almost all air had been evacuated, inside which were two metal electrodes.

• When a high voltage was applied across the electrodes, Thomson observed a stream of rays emitted from the cathode (negatively charged electrode) toward the anode (positively charged electrode).
• These rays were termed 'cathode rays', and initially, their nature was a subject of wide debate.
• The consistent glow observed in the tube indicated that something was traveling from the cathode to the anode, which necessitated further investigation into their properties.

By employing different methods to test the properties of these rays, Thomson concluded that the rays were composed of previously unknown negatively charged particles. These observations thus required a fundamental reevaluation of the atomic model at the time, leaving a profound impact on scientific theory.

Negative Charge Deduction

To ascertain the electrical charge of cathode rays, J.J. Thomson devised a meticulous approach. He introduced magnetic and electric fields simultaneously and observed how these rays responded to the fields.

• The deflections caused by these fields indicated that the particles were charged, as an uncharged particle wouldn't deflect at all.
• Thomson noted that when the magnetic field diverted the rays in one direction, the electric field could be adjusted to divert them in the opposite direction.
• This behavior was consistent with negatively charged particles reacting to the applied fields.

Thomson's experiment revealed that these stream of rays comprised of negatively charged particles, which he termed as electrons. He calculated the charge-to-mass ratio of these particles, further confirming that they were much lighter than any atom known at the time. This not only affirmed the negative charge of electrons but also established them as constituent parts of atoms, changing the landscape of atomic physics.