🌟 Fun Fact: Did you know that the word "atom" comes from the ancient Greek word "atomos", meaning "indivisible"? But, as we're about to learn, atoms are not indivisible after all!

• 1858 - Julius Plücker
  • Observed: A fluorescent glow when passing electric discharge through low-pressure gas.
  • The glowing area could be moved using an electromagnet. (Imagine having a light show just using gas and magnets!)
• 1869 - Johann Hittorf (a buddy of Plücker)
  • Discovered “cathode rays” when electric charge flowed through low-pressure gas.
  • Real-World Example: Ever seen the beautiful colors of the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)? This is a similar concept but on a much smaller scale!
• 1877 - Joseph J Thomson (JJT from Britain 🇬🇧)
  • Found that cathode rays can be deflected (or turned) by electric and magnetic fields.
  • This meant... drum roll 🥁... these rays were charged!

Big Idea - Atoms are like Christmas pudding!

• The “plums” (or currents in a bun) are the negatively charged particles (known as electrons).
• The surrounding “pudding” is a cloud of positive charge.
• Real-World Example: Think of a chocolate chip cookie 🍪. The chocolate chips (negative) are embedded in the dough (positive).