The presence of charge particles in the atoms was first confirmed by — Atomic Structure Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

### Step 1 - Faraday's Laws of Electrolysis (1834) — The First Confirmation In 1834, Michael Faraday published his laws of electrolysis by passing electricity through electrolytic solutions: **First Law:** Mass deposited at electrode $\propto$ quantity of electricity: $$m = z \cdot I \cdot t$$ **Second Law:** Equal quantities of electricity liberate masses proportional to chemical equivalent weights. These laws established a direct, quantitative link between electricity and matter — proving that atoms must contain charged constituents (ions). This was the **first** experimental evidence that atoms contain charged particles. ### Step 2 - Chronological Contributions of Other Scientists * **Goldstein (1886):** Discovered positive canal rays in perforated cathode tubes → proved existence of positive ions, but 50+ years after Faraday. * **Thomson (1897):** Measured $e/m_e$ of electrons; discovered the electron as a discrete subatomic particle → but after Faraday. * **Rutherford (1911):** Gold foil experiment → discovered the atomic nucleus → much later. ### Step 3 - Evaluation of Options * **Option (A) Rutherford:** Incorrect — established nuclear model (1911), after Faraday. * **Option (B) Thomson:** Incorrect — discovered the electron (1897), after Faraday. * **Option (C) Faraday:** Correct — laws of electrolysis (1834) first confirmed charged particles in atoms. * **Option (D) Goldstein:** Incorrect — canal rays (1886), after Faraday. $$\text{Correct Option: } \boxed{\text{C}}$$