Significance of Thomson's Experiment

• What did Thomson demonstrate about the particles in magnetic and electric fields?

  They must be negatively charged
• What was previously calculated by scientists regarding the specific charge?

  The specific charge of a hydrogen ion
• How much larger was Thomson's specific charge for an electron compared to that of a hydrogen ion?

  1800 times larger
• What are the specific charges of the electron and the hydrogen ion?

  • Electron: $1.76 \times 10^{-11} \text{ C kg}^{-1}$
  • Hydrogen Ion: $9.6 \times 10^{-8} \text{ C kg}^{-1}$
• What did the larger specific charge of the electron imply?

  Either smaller mass or larger charge magnitude
• Why was it impossible to determine the reason for the larger specific charge of the electron?

  Because specific charge is a ratio
• What was necessary after Thomson's findings regarding the electron's charge?

  Further experiments to calculate the charge