J.J Thompson's Cathode Ray Experiment

In summary, J.J Thompson's Cathode Ray Experiment was a scientific experiment conducted in the late 19th century to investigate the nature of cathode rays. The purpose of the experiment was to understand the fundamentals of electricity and discover the electron. Through his experiments, Thompson was able to determine the charge-to-mass ratio of the electron and propose the "plum pudding" model of the atom. This experiment had a significant impact on the scientific community, challenging previously accepted theories and paving the way for further discoveries in the field of subatomic particles.
  • #1
AlphaK
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When Thompson conducted his cathode ray experiment, how did he know that the negatively charged electrons were so small? He knew that they were deflected in measurable ways by electric and magnetic fields, so he concluded that they must have a very small mass to charge (m/e) ratio. But that could also have been explained by the largeness of charge?
 
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  • #2
See Millikan's oil drop experiment. It was only after that experiment that the exact charge and size of the electron was found out.
 

What is J.J Thompson's Cathode Ray Experiment?

J.J Thompson's Cathode Ray Experiment was a scientific experiment conducted in the late 19th century by British physicist J.J Thompson. It involved passing an electric current through a partially evacuated glass tube, known as a cathode ray tube, and observing the properties of the resulting ray of electrons.

What was the purpose of J.J Thompson's Cathode Ray Experiment?

The purpose of the experiment was to investigate the nature of the cathode rays, which were discovered to be a stream of negatively charged particles. This experiment was crucial in understanding the fundamentals of electricity and led to the discovery of the electron.

What were the key findings of J.J Thompson's Cathode Ray Experiment?

Through his experiments, Thompson was able to determine the charge-to-mass ratio of the electron and provide evidence for the existence of subatomic particles. He also proposed the "plum pudding" model of the atom, which described the atom as a positively charged sphere with negatively charged electrons embedded in it.

Why is J.J Thompson's Cathode Ray Experiment significant?

J.J Thompson's Cathode Ray Experiment was significant because it provided experimental evidence for the existence of electrons and their properties. This experiment also paved the way for further discoveries in the field of subatomic particles, leading to a better understanding of the structure of atoms.

How did J.J Thompson's Cathode Ray Experiment impact the scientific community?

The experiment had a significant impact on the scientific community, as it challenged the previously accepted theories about electricity and the structure of atoms. It also opened up new avenues for research and experimentation in the field of subatomic particles, leading to further advancements in the field of physics.

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