5 Questions
What did J.J. Thomson discover about cathode rays?
They consist of very fine negatively charged particles (electrons).
What was the effect of applying a potential difference of about 10000 volts through the space between the electrodes in the cathode ray experiment?
A stream of invisible rays was emitted from the cathode causing a fluorescent glow on hitting the tube wall.
What is a key property of cathode rays?
They move in straight lines.
How are cathode rays affected by electric and magnetic fields?
They are affected by both electric and magnetic fields.
What did J.J. Thomson conclude about the behavior and nature of cathode rays?
They do not differ either in behavior or in nature if the matter.
Study Notes
Cathode Rays and J.J. Thomson's Discovery
- J.J. Thomson discovered that cathode rays are composed of tiny, negatively charged particles, later known as electrons.
- Applying a potential difference of about 10000 volts through the space between the electrodes in the cathode ray experiment deflected the cathode rays, showing they were charged particles.
Key Properties of Cathode Rays
- Cathode rays travel in straight lines, indicating they are composed of particles.
- Cathode rays are negatively charged, as they are deflected by electric and magnetic fields.
Behavior of Cathode Rays in Electric and Magnetic Fields
- Cathode rays are deflected by electric fields, demonstrating their negative charge.
- Cathode rays are deflected by magnetic fields, further supporting their charged particle nature.
Thomson's Conclusions
- J.J. Thomson concluded that cathode rays are composed of tiny, negatively charged particles, which are a fundamental part of atoms.
- He proposed that these particles (electrons) orbit a positively charged nucleus in an atom.
Test your knowledge of Thomson's model of the atom with this quiz. Explore the discovery of cathode rays and the experimental conditions that led to this groundbreaking finding in the field of atomic theory.
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