J.J. Thompson And The Discovery Of The Electron

This historical survey of the discovery of the electron has been published to coincide with the centenary of the discovery. The text maps the life and achievements of J.J. Thomson, with particular focus on his ideas and experiments leading to the discovery. It describes Thomson's early years and education. It then considers his career at Cambridge, first as a fellow of Trinity, later as the head of the Cavendish Laboratory and finally as Master of Trinity and national spokesman for science. The core of the book is concerned with the work undertaken at the Cavendish, culminating in the discovery of "corpuscles", later named "electrons".; In the final two chapters, the immediate aftermath and implications of the work are described. These include the creation of the subject of atomic physics as well as the broader long term developments which can be traced from vacuum valves and the transistor through to the microelectronics revolution. Book Cover......Page 1 Half-Title......Page 2 Title......Page 5 Copyright......Page 6 Dedication......Page 7 Contents......Page 8 Foreword......Page 10 Preface......Page 22 Education at Owens College......Page 23 Cambridge and the Mathematics Tripos......Page 28 References......Page 30 Analytical Dynamics......Page 31 College Lectureship—Vortex Atoms......Page 34 The Cavendish Laboratory......Page 36 References......Page 41 Appointment as Cavendish Professor......Page 57 Gaseous Discharge......Page 58 The Changing Nature of the Cavendish......Page 63 References......Page 69 Grotthus Chains and Faraday Tubes of Force......Page 82 Electrodeless Discharges......Page 87 Electrolysis of Steam and Condensation......Page 89 Electricity of Drops......Page 91 The Gyroscopic Atom and Chemical Combinations......Page 92 Summary......Page 94 References......Page 95 Research Students......Page 109 X-rays......Page 111 The Cathode Ray Controversy......Page 118 Resolution of the Cathode Ray Problem......Page 119 Measurement of the Charge......Page 123 Corpuscles versus Electrons......Page 127 Acceptance of Subatomic Particles......Page 128 Notes......Page 130 References......Page 131 The Electromagnetic View of Matter and the Thomson Atom......Page 173 Positive Rays......Page 179 The Structure of Light......Page 183 Views on Physical Theories......Page 187 Last 20 Years......Page 188 References......Page 189 Elementary Particle Physics......Page 207 The Electronics Revolution......Page 210 Notes......Page 212 Index......Page 213 1997 saw the centenary of one of the most important moments in modern physics - the discovery of the electron. This volume maps the life and achievement of JJ Thomson, with particular focus on his ideas and experiments leading to the landmark discovery. J.J. Thomson, best known today as the 'discoverer of the electron' was an important and pivotal figure in the history of British physics. E.a. Davis And I.j. Falconer. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.