Probashi- Science
Probashi- Science
JJ Thomson And His Nobel Prize Factory JJ Thomson and his Nobel Prize Factory
Between 1884 and 1919 an earnest looking Professor along with a bunch of talented research students in a rather underfunded Cavendish laboratory in Cambridge spilt the atom and started a new branch of science known as Particle Physics . The Professor was JJ Thomson , the discoverer of electron for which he got the Nobel Prize in 1906 . What followed subsequently was not anticipated , seven of JJ ’ s research students went on to win the Nobel Prize in Physics and Chemistry , a feat unrivalled by any other Professor . One would wonder what was happening at the Cavendish Laboratory under JJ that would secure such a roll of honour . Was it just a quirk of fate that some of the best minds in Physics congregated at Cavendish during the time or was it JJ ’ s ability to make intelligent men do brilliant work .
In 1884 , Lord Rayleigh ( Nobel Laureate 1904 ) , retired as Cavendish Professor of Physics , Cambridge University — one of the most prestigious chairs of science in the English speaking world and he recommended that a young man of 28 years , named JJ Thomson , be appointed to replace him .
This was unprecedented ; there were a number of well qualified and famous scholars who aspired for the position . Though a brilliant student with number of publications to his credit and an Assistant Professorship at Trinity , JJ Thomson ’ s ( will refer as JJ ) credentials as an experimental physicist was questioned . For some detractors he was too young to take up the mantle . The selection committee , consisting of Lord Kelvin , George Gabriel Stokes , and George Howard Darwin , amongst the best scientific brains of their times , chose Thomson as Rayleigh ' s replacement and Director of the world‐famous Cavendish Laboratory at Cambridge . Here was this Professor and head of the Mecca of Physics almost of the same age as his research students .
JJ justified his selection when in a series of brilliantly designed experiments with the cathode ray tube in 1897 gave evidence of the existence of electrons and thereby shattered the myth that an atom is
JJ Thomson at home in his study ( 1899 ). He is sitting in a chair that had belonged to James Clerk Maxwell , whose theory of electromagnetism is still regarded as one of physics ' most remarkable achievements .
not divisible . JJ had changed physics forever and started a new branch now known as Particle Physics . He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1906 for the discovery of the electron .
A scholarship holder throughout his student career , JJ certainly showed promise quite early . At Cambridge he enrolled for Mathematics Tripos and was ranked second . His first scientific paper was published when he was only 19 in the Proceedings of the Royal Society .
Born in Manchester in the family of book sellers , JJ ‘ s family could barely afford his University education which was funded entirely on fellowships . JJ held the famous chemist Dalton and the physicist Henri Joule , both from Manchester , as his role models . JJ was a shy boy but knew exactly what he wanted to do . Then very young he was once asked by a relative what would he want to do when he grew up , JJ replied he wanted to do “ original research ” – not many in 1870s would aim for that .
JJ achieved everything a physicist would aspire for – Directorship of the world ’ s best physics laboratory , global acknowledgement for his work , a fundamental discovery to his name and the physics Nobel Prize . But there is one achievement
An outstanding teacher , JJ Thomson ( right ) seen advising a student . Note the body language‐ concentration and zeal