Subatomic Particles Discovery Quiz

Analyze the experimental setup used by J.J. Thomson to discover the electron and explain how it led to the identification of the electron as a subatomic particle.

• Thomson used a gold foil experiment to identify the electron.

• Thomson used a cathode ray tube and observed deflection of rays in electric and magnetic fields.

• Thomson used a cloud chamber to visualize electron paths.

• Thomson used a mass spectrometer to measure electron mass.

Evaluate the significance of the oil drop experiment conducted by Robert Millikan in the context of electron discovery.

• It determined the mass of the electron.

• It measured the charge of the electron.

• It discovered the existence of the electron.

• It showed that electrons are negatively charged.

Discuss the reasoning behind Ernest Rutherford's conclusion that the atom has a small, dense nucleus after his gold foil experiment.

• Most alpha particles passed through the foil, indicating a dense nucleus.

• Alpha particles were deflected at large angles, suggesting a dense nucleus.

• Alpha particles were absorbed by the foil, indicating a dense nucleus.

• Alpha particles created new elements, suggesting a dense nucleus.

Explain how the discovery of the proton by Rutherford was a strategic advancement in atomic theory.

• It showed that atoms are indivisible.

• It provided evidence for the existence of isotopes.

• It identified the positive charge within the nucleus.

• It proved that electrons orbit the nucleus.

Analyze the experimental evidence that led James Chadwick to conclude the existence of the neutron.

• Neutrons were detected using a cloud chamber.

• Neutrons were observed as particles with no charge deflecting in a magnetic field.

• Neutrons were inferred from the mass discrepancy in helium nuclei.

• Neutrons were detected by their ability to penetrate lead shielding.

Evaluate the impact of neutron discovery on the understanding of atomic structure and nuclear reactions.

• It confirmed that atoms are mostly empty space.

• It explained the stability of the nucleus and enabled nuclear fission.

• It led to the discovery of the electron.

• It showed that protons and neutrons are the same particles.

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Discuss the strategic importance of the cathode ray tube experiment in the context of subatomic particle discovery.

• It was the first experiment to use X-rays.

• It demonstrated the wave nature of electrons.

• It provided the first evidence of particles smaller than atoms.

• It showed that electrons have a positive charge.

Analyze how the discovery of the neutron helped resolve the issue of isotopes in atomic theory.

• It showed that isotopes have different numbers of electrons.

• It explained that isotopes have different numbers of neutrons.

• It proved that isotopes have different numbers of protons.

• It showed that isotopes have different atomic numbers.

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Evaluate the role of the proton in the chemical identity of an element and how its discovery influenced the periodic table.

• The proton determines the atomic mass of an element.

• The proton determines the chemical properties of an element.

• The proton determines the atomic number and identity of an element.

• The proton determines the isotopic nature of an element.

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Discuss the implications of electron discovery on the development of quantum mechanics.

• It led to the development of the Bohr model of the atom.

• It confirmed the existence of atomic orbitals.

• It provided evidence for the wave-particle duality of matter.

• It showed that electrons move in fixed paths around the nucleus.

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