A History of the Electron: J. J. and G. P. ThomsonTwo landmarks in the history of physics are the discovery of the particulate nature of cathode rays (the electron) by J. J. Thomson in 1897 and the experimental demonstration by his son G. P. Thomson in 1927 that the electron exhibits the properties of a wave. Together, the Thomsons are two of the most significant figures in modern physics, both winning Nobel prizes for their work. This book presents the intellectual biographies of the father-and-son physicists, shedding new light on their combined understanding of the nature of electrons and, by extension, of the continuous nature of matter. It is the first text to explore J. J. Thomson's early and later work, as well as the role he played in G. P. Thomson's education as a physicist and how he reacted to his son's discovery of electron diffraction. This fresh perspective will interest academics and graduate students working in the history of early twentieth-century physics. |
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Aberdeen became Broglie's Cambridge Mathematical Tripos cathode rays Cavendish Laboratory chapter charge-to-mass ratio chemical bonding chemists conduction of electricity continuous corpuscles corpuscular developed discharge in tubes discovery discrete dissociation dynamical elec electric and magnetic electric charge electric discharge electric field electricity through gases electrification electrolysis electromagnetic electron diffraction elements energy engineering ether experimental physics experiments explain Falconer Faraday tubes father fluid fundamental G. P. Thomson hydrogen hypothesis idea industry interest ionization ions large number lectures Manchester mass Mathematical Tripos Maxwell Maxwell's mechanism molecular molecules moving negative electricity number of corpuscles obtained Owens College paper particles phenomena Philosophical Magazine physics and chemistry positive electricity positive rays problem Professor properties quantum radiation Rayleigh ring theory Royal Society scientific structure suggested theoretical theory of electric theory of matter thought tion Treatise Trinity College unit University Unseen Universe velocity vortex rings Warwick wave wrangler X-rays