Cathode rays within discharge tubes consist of negatively charged particles identified as electrons that propagate in straight lines and possess kinetic energy due to high-velocity motion through a partial vacuum under elevated potential differences (10–20 kV). The theoretical mechanism describes the interaction of these electron streams with electric and magnetic fields, resulting in deflection toward positive potentials or curved trajectories respectively, thereby confirming their corpuscular nature. This phenomenon establishes electrons as fundamental subatomic constituents within classical electromagnetism and serves as a precursor to modern quantum mechanical descriptions of particle behavior.
Cathode rays within discharge tubes consist of negatively charged particles identified as electrons that propagate in straight lines and possess kinetic energy due to high-velocity motion through a p…