New Light on the Structure of Matter reveals how early 20th-century experiments reshaped our view of atoms.
This edition presents a clear account of how photographs of particle trails helped scientists map paths, charges, and weights of tiny particles.
The text frames a practical, step-by-step look at the ideas behind positive and negative rays, how electric and magnetic fields bend particles, and what those patterns reveal about atomic structure. It also highlights a new, direct method of chemical analysis that pairs element presence with atomic weight, along with the concept of multiple charges and recombination in ionized gases.
- Learn how deflection by electric and magnetic fields sorts particles by mass and charge.
- See how photographic evidence translated into measurements of atomic weight.
- Understand the idea of multiple charges and recombination in early atomic theory.
- Discover how these discoveries informed debates about the composition of elements and molecules.
Ideal for readers curious about the historical development of atomic theory and early modern physics.