Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
JJ Thomson’s cathode ray tube experiment revealed the electron and proved atoms were divisible. This video explains the apparatus, observations, and why it changed atomic theory forever. It changed the idea of the atom forever by proving that atoms are divisible, leading to Thomson's plum pudding and Nagaoka Saturn-like model of the atom.
Related Units:
If you're studying early atomic theory, watch the full playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvUW25kBaMMszGN5XY0QXNP_t-9Z-B8C2
If you want a strong foundation for studying chemistry, this playlist is your friend: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvUW25kBaMMssGHFrR4Ee7_-8cFBvBkgN
If you're studying for the MCAT: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvUW25kBaMMuJZI5IVWO8X0syBANn-YqY
🧪Support free education & more through Patreon! patreon.com/c/ChemistryinaNutshell
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0:00 JJ Thomson's Cathode Ray Tube Experiment
1:10 Charge-to-Mass Ratio
1:38 Implications of Findings
2:37 TL;DR Thomson's Findings
3:11 What does this mean for the structure of the atom?
3:28 Atomic Models: Nagaoka's Saturn-Like Atom & Thomson's Plum Pudding Model
Citations:
Paula Yurkanis Bruice, "Organic Chemistry" 8th ed
openstax.org/details/books/organic-chemistry
openstax.org/details/books/chemistry-2e
Images Used:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:J.J_Thomson.jpg By Not Mentioned - First World War.com, Public Domain, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2969861
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._J._Thomson#/media/File:JJThomsonGasDischargeTubeElectronCavendishLab2013-08-29-17-11-41.jpg
JJ Thomson’s cathode ray tube experiment revealed the electron and proved atoms were divisible. This video explains the apparatus, observations, and why it changed atomic theory forever. It changed the idea of the atom forever by proving that atoms are divisible, leading to Thomson's plum pudding and Nagaoka Saturn-like model of the atom.
Related Units:
If you're studying early atomic theory, watch the full playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvUW25kBaMMszGN5XY0QXNP_t-9Z-B8C2
If you want a strong foundation for studying chemistry, this playlist is your friend: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvUW25kBaMMssGHFrR4Ee7_-8cFBvBkgN
If you're studying for the MCAT: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvUW25kBaMMuJZI5IVWO8X0syBANn-YqY
🧪Support free education & more through Patreon! patreon.com/c/ChemistryinaNutshell
🔬As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Start your shopping here: amzn.to/3IXuAcS
0:00 JJ Thomson's Cathode Ray Tube Experiment
1:10 Charge-to-Mass Ratio
1:38 Implications of Findings
2:37 TL;DR Thomson's Findings
3:11 What does this mean for the structure of the atom?
3:28 Atomic Models: Nagaoka's Saturn-Like Atom & Thomson's Plum Pudding Model
Citations:
Paula Yurkanis Bruice, "Organic Chemistry" 8th ed
openstax.org/details/books/organic-chemistry
openstax.org/details/books/chemistry-2e
Images Used:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:J.J_Thomson.jpg By Not Mentioned - First World War.com, Public Domain, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2969861
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._J._Thomson#/media/File:JJThomsonGasDischargeTubeElectronCavendishLab2013-08-29-17-11-41.jpg
