The scientist that performed the experiment on discharged tubes that led to the discovery of the cathode rays as a sub-atomic particle is
Answer Details
The **scientist who performed the experiment on discharge tubes that led to the discovery of cathode rays as a sub-atomic particle** is J.J. Thomson.
In the late 19th century, J.J. Thomson conducted experiments using a cathode ray tube. This device involved an evacuated glass tube with electrodes at each end, through which an electric current was passed. **When a high voltage was applied, Thomson observed a stream of particles traveling from the negative electrode (cathode) to the positive electrode (anode).** These streams of particles were what he called "cathode rays."
Through his experiments, J.J. Thomson discovered that these cathode rays were composed of negatively charged particles. **He concluded that these particles were much smaller than atoms, and named them "electrons," which are now known to be sub-atomic particles.** His work was fundamental in advancing the atomic model and in understanding the structure of the atom.
Thomson's discovery was pivotal because it provided the first evidence that atoms are not indivisible, but rather consist of smaller subatomic particles. This **challenged the then-prevailing notion of atoms as indivisible units**, thus marking the birth of modern particle physics.