Answer to Question #70501 in General Chemistry for Jaa

Question

If Perrin discovered the negativity of cathode ray, why Thomson was given all the rewards? For instance, Einstein proved Planck's theory via calculations, as Thomson did for Perrin, and we still give the rewards to Planck as the discoverer.

Answer 1

At that time, atoms were the smallest particles known. Thomson measured the mass of particles of cathode rays, showing they were around 1800 times lighter than the lightest atom, hydrogen. He also showed that their charge-to- mass ratio was independent of cathode material. These particles were later called “electrons”.

This Thomson’s work is actually considered the discovery of an electron.