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Chapter 2: Problem 5

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

Short Answer

Expert verified
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

01

Identify the scientist who discovered the electron

The scientist who discovered the electron was J.J. Thomson.
02

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.
03

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.

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