Question

What were Thomson's conclusions from cathode ray tube experiments?

Answer 1

Cathode ray tube experiment:

• In this experiment, J.J Thompson partially evacuated a glass tube and applied a high voltage at either end of the tube between the two electrodes.
• It was observed that a stream of particles or rays came out of the negatively charged electrode (cathode) that moved towards the positively charged electrode (anode).

Conclusions:

• Thomson concluded that the rays were negatively charged and moved around the positive charge.
• The characteristics of these rays do not depend upon the nature of the electrode material or the nature of the gas-filled tube.
• He concluded that the atom can be divided into smaller particles.
• An atom consists of negatively charged particles called electrons that are fundamental particles.
• Electrons are much smaller than atoms.