ASTR 101 Study Guide - Quiz Guide: Ernest Rutherford, Cathode Ray, Plum Pudding Model
Document Summary
The next great step forward in the understanding of atoms was accomplished by. Using a cathode ray scope, thomson determined that all matter, whatever its source, contains particles of the same kind that are much less massive than the atoms of which they form a part. His discovery was the result of an attempt to solve a long standing controversy regarding the nature of cathode rays, which occur when an electric current is driven through a vessel from which most of the air or other gas has been pumped out. By applying an improved vacuum technique, thomson was able to put forward a convincing argument that these rays were composed of particles. Thomson"s conclusion that the corpuscles were present in all kinds of matter was strengthened during the next three years, when he found that corpuscles with the same properties could be produced in other ways; e. g. , from hot metals.
