Ten fun facts about Joseph J. Thomson
Fact 1
Joseph J. Thomson was born on 18 December 1856 in England and died on 30 August 1940.
Fact 2
In 1897, Thomson exhibited that cathode rays were comprised of a previously unknown negatively charged particle, and thus is known for the discovery and identification of the electron.
Fact 3
Thomson is also recognized as the finder of the first evidence for isotopes of a stable non-radioactive element as a portion of his examination into the structure of canal rays (positive ions) and with the creation of the mass spectrometer.
Fact 4
Thomson was given the 1906 Nobel Prize in Physics for the finding of the electron and for his study on the conduction of electricity in gases.
Fact 5
In 1905 Thomson revealed the natural radioactivity of potassium and in 1906 he verified that hydrogen had only one electron per atom.
Fact 6
He won the Royal Medal (1894), Elliott Cresson Medal (1910), Franklin Medal (1922), Copley Medal (1914) and Hughes Medal (1902).
Fact 7
In 1991 the symbol ‘th’ was put forward in mass spectrometry as a unit to measure mass to charge ratio.
Fact 8
His separation of neon isotopes by their mass was the initial example of mass spectrometry, which was consequently enhanced and advanced into a general process by F. W. Aston and by A. J. Dempster.
Fact 9
He is buried in Westminster Abbey, close to the grave of Sir Isaac Newton.
Fact 10
On 12 June 1884, Thomson was chosen a Fellow of the Royal Society and was later the President of the Royal Society from 1915 to 1920.
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