Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Cathode Rays
Cathode rays are streams of electrons emitted from the cathode in a vacuum tube. They are produced when high voltage is applied across electrodes, causing electrons to be ejected from the cathode and travel towards the anode. This phenomenon was crucial in the discovery of the electron and demonstrated that cathode rays are negatively charged particles.
Recommended video:
Characteristics of Gamma Rays
Charge of Particles
In Thomson's experiments, it was established that cathode rays are composed of negatively charged particles, later identified as electrons. The charge of these particles was determined through their deflection in electric and magnetic fields, which showed that they are attracted to positive charges and repelled by negative charges, confirming their negative charge.
Recommended video:
Thomson's Experiment Significance
J. J. Thomson's cathode-ray tube experiments were pivotal in the field of atomic physics as they provided the first evidence of subatomic particles. His work led to the realization that atoms are not indivisible, as previously thought, but consist of smaller components, fundamentally changing the understanding of atomic structure and leading to the development of the 'plum pudding' model of the atom.
Recommended video:
Rutherford Experiment Example