Here's a breakdown:
* The Cathode Ray Tube Experiment: Thomson conducted experiments using cathode ray tubes, which are glass tubes with electrodes at either end. When a high voltage is applied, a beam of light, called a cathode ray, travels from the negative electrode (cathode) to the positive electrode (anode).
* Deflection by Magnetic and Electric Fields: Thomson observed that the cathode ray could be deflected by both magnetic and electric fields. This proved that the ray was composed of charged particles.
* Calculation of Charge-to-Mass Ratio: By measuring the amount of deflection and the strength of the fields, Thomson calculated the charge-to-mass ratio (e/m) of the particles in the cathode ray. This ratio was significantly smaller than the charge-to-mass ratio of any known ion, suggesting that the particles were much lighter than atoms.
* Discovery of the Electron: Thomson concluded that the cathode ray was composed of negatively charged particles, which he named "electrons". He proposed the "plum pudding model" of the atom, where negatively charged electrons were embedded within a positively charged sphere.
This discovery shattered the long-held belief that atoms were indivisible and fundamental particles. It paved the way for further exploration into the structure of the atom and led to the development of modern atomic theory.
