Discovery:
Proton was discovered by Goldstein 1886 and its properties were further investigated by Thomson in 1897.
Experimental explanation:
A discharge tube has a vacuum pump and two electrodes that are attached to a high voltage supply. Positive rays move towards perforated cathode, pass through holes of cathode where they strike the tube and cause a glow. The rays were named Canal rays (proton). The canal rays are produced as a result of electron striking the gas molecules left in discharge tube.
Properties of Canal Rays (protons):
They travel in straight line towards cathode
They produce sharp shadow of object in their path
They have positive charge so bend towards negative plate in electric and magnetic field.
The charge to mass ratio is much smaller than electron. It also varies according to which gas is present in tube
The mass of proton is 1836 times more than electron.
