The discovery of the electron marked a pivotal moment in physics, revolutionizing our understanding of atomic structure. J.J. Thomson's cathode-ray tube experiments led to the identification of electrons and the charge-to-mass ratio, laying the groundwork for future atomic models. Subsequent experiments by Rutherford and Millikan further refined our knowledge, with the gold foil experiment revealing the nuclear atom and the oil-drop experiment confirming charge quantization.
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J.J. Thomson used cathode-ray tubes to demonstrate the presence of particles with a negative charge, leading to the discovery of the electron
Thomson's Measurements
J.J. Thomson's precise measurements of the charge-to-mass ratio of the electron were crucial for determining its charge and mass
Thomson's plum pudding model proposed that atoms were made up of positively charged spheres with negatively charged electrons interspersed throughout
The gold foil experiment provided groundbreaking insights into the structure of the atom, leading to the discovery of the atomic nucleus
The observation of alpha particles being deflected at large angles led to the inference of a small, dense nucleus with a positive charge
The nuclear model of the atom proposed that atoms are mostly empty space, with a small, positively charged nucleus and negatively charged electrons surrounding it
The oil-drop experiment provided high-precision measurements of the electron's charge, confirming its existence as a discrete charge carrier
Millikan's discovery of charge quantization provided evidence for the indivisible nature of the electron and the concept of quantized electric charge
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Electron's role in atoms
Electrons are fundamental subatomic particles, essential for atomic structure and chemical bond formation.
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Electron discovery method
Electrons were discovered through cathode-ray tube experiments, revealing particles with a negative charge.
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J.J. Thomson's contribution
Thomson measured the electron's charge-to-mass ratio, laying groundwork for future precise measurements of its charge and mass.
