The septuagenarian electron

MAY 01, 1967

Concepts of the electron have evolved gradually from work on cathode rays, determinations of mass and charge, and predictions and tests of its wavelike properties.

DOI: 10.1063/1.3034306

Sir George Thomson

THE YEAR 1897 HAS the best claim to be the birth year of the electron; for in it the main ideas, which for the next 30 years at least made up this concept, were first clearly stated and supported by strong evidence—though a little short of proof.

References

1. J. Stoney, Trans. Roy. Dub. Soc. 4, 583 (1891).
2. H. Hertz, Ann. Phys. Chem. 45, 28 (1892).https://doi.org/ANPYA2
3. H. Hertz, Ann. Phys. Chem. 19, 809 (1883).https://doi.org/ANPYA2
4. E. Wiechert, Proc. Phys. & Econ. Soc. Konigsberg 35, 1 (1897).
5. W. Kaufmann, Ann. Phys. Chem. 61, 544 (1897).https://doi.org/ANPYA2
6. J. J. Thomson, Electrician 38, 838 (1897).
7. J. J. Thomson, Nature 55, 453 (1896–97).https://doi.org/NATUAS
8. J. J. Thomson, Phil. Mag. 44, 293 (1897).https://doi.org/PHMAA4
9. P. Zeeman, Phil. Mag. 43, 226 (1897).https://doi.org/PHMAA4
10. L. de Broglie, Phil. Mag. 47, 446 (1924).https://doi.org/PHMAA4
11. J. J. Thomson, Phil. Mag. 50, 163 (1925).https://doi.org/PHMAA4
12. W. Elsasser, Naturwiss. 13, 711 (1925).https://doi.org/NATWAY
13. C. J. Davisson, L. Germer, Nature 119, 558 (1927).https://doi.org/NATUAS
14. C. J. Davisson, L. Germer, Phys. Rev. 30, 707 (1927).https://doi.org/PHRVAO
15. G. P. Thomson, A. Reid, Nature 119, 890 (1927).https://doi.org/NATUAS
16. G. P. Thomson, A. Reid, Nature 120, 802 (1927).https://doi.org/NATUAS
17. G. P. Thomson, A. Reid, Proc. Roy. Soc. A117, 600 (1928).
18. A. Reid, Proc. Roy. Soc. A119, 665 (1928).

More about the Authors

Sir George Thomson. Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.