EWho discovered protons, electrons and neutrons Related: History of A...
Neutron-The neutron was discovered in 1932 by the English physicist James Chadwick.
In 1920, Ernest Rutherford postulated that there were neutral, massive particles in the nucleus of atoms. This conclusion arose from the disparity between an element's atomic number (protons = electrons) and its atomic mass (usually in excess of the mass of the known protons present). James Chadwick was assigned the task of tracking down evidence of Rutherford's tightly bound "proton-electron pair" or neutron.
In 1930 it was discovered that Beryllium, when bombarded by alpha particles, emitted a very energetic stream of radiation. This stream was originally thought to be gamma radiation. However, further investigations into the properties of the radiation revealed contradictory results. Like gamma rays, these rays were extremely penetrating and since they were not deflected upon passing through a magnetic field, neutral. However, unlike gamma rays, these rays did not discharge charged electroscopes (the photoelectric effect). Irene Curie and her husband discovered that when a beam of this radiation hit a substance rich in protons, for example paraffin, protons were knocked loose which could be easily detected by a Geiger counter.
In 1932, Chadwick proposed that this particle was Rutherford's neutron.
Electron- J.J Thomson
Electron was discovered by J. J. Thomson in 1897 when he was studying the properties of cathode ray.J. J. Thomson constructed a glass tube which was partially evacuated i.e. much of the air was pumped out of the tube. Then he applied a high electrical voltage between two electrodes at either end of the tube. He detected that a stream of particle (ray) was coming out from the negatively charged electrode (cathode) to positively charged electrode (anode). This ray is called cathode ray and the whole construction is called cathode ray tube. The schematic of a cathode ray tube is given.
Proton- Goldstein
Since the atom as a whole is electrically neutral and the presence of negatively charged particles in it was established ,therefore, it was thought that some positively charged particles must also be present in the atom.
Goldsstein in 1886 performed discharge tube experiment in which he took perforated cathode and a gas at low pressure was kept inside the tube, as before.
On passing high voltage between the electrodes ,it was found that some rays were coming from the side of the anode which passed through the holes in the cathode and produced green fluroscense on the opposite glass wall coated with zinc sulphide. These rays were called anode rays or canal rays or positive rays.
Properties of anode rays.
1) They travel in straight line.
2) They are made up of material particles.
3) They are positively charged.
4) The value of e/m depend upon the nature of gas taken inside the discharge tube.
5) The value of the charge on the particles constituent the anode rays is also found to depend upon the nature of the gas taken inside the discharge tube.
6) The mass of the particle constituting the anode rays is also found to be different for different gases taken in discharge tube.
The charge on these particles is found to be same as that on the electron i.e. 1.6 * 10^-19 coulombs per gram.
The ratio, charge/mass, for each of the particle is found to be 9.58 * 10^-24 g.
These particles were termed as protons.