-
Proposed a mechanical universe with small solid masses in motion.
-
Proposed an "atomic theory" with spherical solid atoms based upon measurable properties of mass.
-
Studied the effect of electricity on solutions, coined term "electrolysis" as a splitting of molecules with electricity, developed laws of electrolysis. Faraday himself was not a proponent of atomism.
-
Built one of the first gas discharge tubes ("cathode ray tube").
-
Arranged elements into 7 groups with similar properties. He discovered that the properties of elements "were periodic functions of the their atomic weights". This became known as the Periodic Law.
-
Proposed electric and magnetic fields filled the void.
-
Discovered cathode rays had the following properties: travel in straight lines from the cathode; cause glass to fluoresce; impart a negative charge to objects they strike; are deflected by electric fields and magnets to suggest a negative charge; cause pinwheels in their path to spin indicating they have mass.
-
Used a CRT to study "canal rays" which had electrical and magnetic properties opposite of an electron.
-
Proposed that electricity was made of discrete negative particles he called electrons
-
Using a CRT he observed that nearby chemicals glowed. Further experiments found very penetrating rays coming from the CRT that were not deflected by a magnetic field. He named them "X-rays".
-
While studying the effect of x-rays on photographic film, he discovered some chemicals spontaneously decompose and give off very pentrating rays.
-
Studied "canal rays" and found they were associated with the proton H + .
-
Studied radiations emitted from uranium and thorium and named them alpha and beta.