Which Gas Was Used in J.J. Thomson's Cathode Ray Experiment?

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SUMMARY

J.J. Thomson's cathode ray experiment utilized an evacuated tube with a pressure of less than 0.1 mmHg and a voltage range of 15k-20k V. While various gases were tested in cathode ray tubes during that era, it is concluded that the gas used in Thomson's experiment was likely air due to the low pressure conditions. This experiment played a crucial role in the understanding of cathode rays, contributing to the debate on their wave-particle duality.

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  • Understanding of cathode ray tubes and their function
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Which gas is used in cathode ray experiment by J.J. Thomson & Sir William?

The voltage they used was about: 15k-20k V
The pressure they used: < 0.1mm of Hg
The gas they used: ?
 
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Apparently different gases were tried in cathode ray tubes at the time.

However based on the fact that Thompson used an evacuated tube (0.1 mmHg vs 1 atmosphere or 760 mmHg), the I would expect the gas was air.

http://www.aip.org/history/electron/jj1897.htm
 
Astronuc said:
Apparently different gases were tried in cathode ray tubes at the time.

However based on the fact that Thompson used an evacuated tube (0.1 mmHg vs 1 atmosphere or 760 mmHg), the I would expect the gas was air.

http://www.aip.org/history/electron/jj1897.htm

What a coincidence, I'm on that site too searching for a brief outline of the debate on whether cathode rays are waves or particles (both are correct) and the properties which they exhibit categorized them as either waves or particles.
 

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