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Chapter 3: Problem 18

What observation did Thomson make to suggest that an electron has a negative electric charge?

Short Answer

Expert verified
J.J. Thomson suggested that an electron carries a negative charge based on his observations from his cathode ray experiment, where he noticed that the cathode rays (comprised of electrons) were attracted towards the positive plate when subjected to an electric field.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Experiment

J.J. Thomson carried out the cathode ray experiment. In this experiment, rays emitted from the cathode (negative electrode) were directed towards the anode (positive electrode). An electric field was set up between two plates, one positive and one negative, which the rays had to pass through on their way from the cathode to the anode.
02

Understand the Observations

Thomson observed that the cathode rays deviate towards the positive plate when they pass through the electric field, which indicated that the rays comprised of charged particles.
03

Deduce the Charge of the Electron

Based on the behavior of the cathode rays, Thomson deduced that the particles that constituted these rays must carry a negative charge. This is because they were attracted towards the positive plate when placed in an electric field. This led him to the suggestion that an electron carries a negative charge.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Electron Negative Charge
In the late 19th century, J.J. Thomson's experiments revolutionized our understanding of atomic structure. He discovered that electrons, the particles that flow through cathode rays, carry a negative electric charge. But how did he reach this conclusion? It all boils down to the nature of charge interaction: similar charges repel each other, while opposite charges attract.
  • Thomson observed the behavior of cathode rays in an electric field.
  • He noticed that particles in the rays were deflected towards the positively charged plate.
This movement towards the positive plate revealed the essential property of the cathode rays 鈥� their negative charge. Hence, it was inferred that the cathode rays consisted of negatively charged particles, which we now know as electrons.
Electric Field
An electric field is a fundamental concept in physics, representing a field created by an electric charge. It exerts force on other charges within the field, influencing their motion. In Thomson's experiment, the region where the cathode rays passed between two plates with opposite charges was an electric field.
  • The positive plate created an attraction for negative charges.
  • The negative plate repelled them.
The behavior of charged particles in this field allowed Thomson to explore the nature of the cathode rays. Observing how these rays veered towards the positive plate under the electric field's influence provided key insights into their charge.
Charged Particles Detection
Identifying charged particles like electrons involves observing their behavior in controlled environments. In the cathode ray experiment, Thomson created such an environment using electric and magnetic fields.
  • Electric fields cause charged particles to deviate from a straight trajectory.
  • The deviation direction helps determine the particle's charge.
By noting which way the cathode rays bent, Thomson identified them as negatively charged particles. This kind of detection paved the way for further discoveries regarding atomic structure and electron behavior in materials and devices.
J.J. Thomson
J.J. Thomson was an English physicist whose work significantly impacted the field of atomic physics. His cathode ray experiment was crucial in the discovery of the electron, one of the building blocks of matter.
  • His work demonstrated that atoms were not indivisible, as previously believed in the solid sphere model.
  • Instead, they comprised smaller, negatively charged components - electrons.
Thomson's discovery marked the beginning of the modern era of physics, leading to advancements in both theoretical concepts and practical technologies. His methodical approach to experimenting and observing provided a framework for identifying fundamental particles in physics.

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