The history of the discovery of electrons began in 1987. At that time a scientist announced the discovery of particles smaller than atoms.
Information about the discovery of the electron Joseph John Thomson announced. However, long before JJ Thomson, research on electrons was already underway.
Also Read: The Difference Between Protons and Electrons That Are Clearly Opposites
Peek into the History of the Discovery of Atomic Electrons
Electrons are subatomic particles. Electron particles have a negative charge. This is inversely proportional to the positively charged proton.
The discovery of electrons, protons, and even neutrons is a solid foundation in the world of science.
The reason is, since the discovery of the three subatomic atoms, until now there have been almost 70 other atomic parts.
The notion of the atom has existed even from the time of the Ancient Greeks. However, at that time it was still only a theory.
There has never been a lab experiment to prove the existence of atoms. After several centuries, finally there was a study that discovered the atom itself.
From there, there were some oddities that questioned the existence of subatomic elements in the atom. One by one research aimed at finding elements in atoms continues.
Finally on April 30, 1897, a scientist named Joseph John Thomson or who is familiar with the greeting JJ Thomson said that he had discovered the electron. From there the history of the discovery of electrons begins.
Thomson suggested that these electron particles are thousands of times smaller than atoms. Even JJ Thomson often refers to it as a corpuscle which means a small body.
Also Read: History of the Discovery of Protons, Subatomic Particles in Physics
JJ Thomson discovered the electron particle through his experiments using the cathode sine tube.
At that time Thomson defined cathode rays as particles, not like waves, molecules, or even atoms.
He also managed to calculate the approximate ratio between electric charge (e) and mass (m). However, unfortunately Thomson has not been able to calculate the value of the charge and mass of electrons independently.
Only in 1909, a man named Robert Millikan managed to independently calculate the charge and mass of electrons.
Experiments Before JJ Thomson
Actually, long before JJ Thomson announced the discovery of the name electron, there were already several other scientists who conducted experiments to find the subatomic of this atom.
Also Read: The History of the Discovery of Neutrons, The Nuclear Particles of the Atom without a Charge
Starting from Johann Wilhelm Hittorf, Eugen Goldstein, William Crookes, and Arthur Schuster. They were all predecessors of JJ Thomson who also conducted experiments through cathode ray tube media.
Almost all the experiments that occurred succeeded in finding the presence of negatively charged particles. Unfortunately, they all didn’t name it the electron until JJ Thomson.
The negative charge that the electron has is -1.6 x 10^-19 Coulombs with the same mass 9.1 x 10^-31 Kg.
The discovery of the electron, the particle, and later the neutron became the pillar of other atomic sciences to this day. The negative, positive, and neutral guidelines of the three particles continue to be the basis of atomic charge physics.
For his valuable contribution to the history of the discovery of the electron, JJ Thomson was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1896. (R10/HR-Online)
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