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"by convention bitter, by convention sweet, but in reality atoms and void"
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Projected a mechanical universe with small solid masses in motion.
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Proposed an "atomic theory" with spherical solid atoms based upon measurable properties of mass.
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Claimed atoms could eject small negatively charged particles, which he named as electrons. Also proposed electricity was made of electrons.
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Experimented on a Cathode Ray Tube to determine the charge to mass ratio (e/m) of an electron =1.759 x 10 8 coulombs/gra
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Used the idea of quanta (discrete units of energy) to explain hot glowing matter.
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ostulated a "Saturnian" model of the atom with flat rings of electrons revolving around a positively charged particle.
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Oil drop experiment determined the charge (e=1.602 x 10 -19 coulomb) and the mass (m = 9.11 x 10 -28 gram) of an electron.
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Using alpha particles as atomic bullets, probed the atoms in a piece of thin (0.00006 cm) gold foil . He established that the nucleus was: very dense,very small and positively charged. He also assumed that the electrons were located outside the nucleus.
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Using x-ray tubes, determined the charges on the nuclei of most atoms. He wrote "The atomic number of an element is equal to the number of protons in the nucleus". This work was used to reorganize the periodic table based upon atomic number instead of atomic mass.
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Developed an explanation of atomic structure that underlies regularities of the periodic table of elements. His atomic model had atoms built up of successive orbital shells of electrons
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Using alpha particles discovered a neutral atomic particle with a mass close to a proton. Thus was discovered the neutron.