Thomson's discovery of the electron led to the realization that Dalton's atomic model was too simple. Thomson's experiments with cathode rays demonstrated the existence of negatively charged particles, which became known as electrons. This discovery indicated that atoms were not indivisible and that they contained smaller subatomic particles. Consequently, it became evident that Dalton's model of atoms as indivisible, solid spheres was too simplistic and did not account for the presence of electrons and their role in atomic structure. Thomson's electron model laid the foundation for the development of more complex atomic models, such as Rutherford's nuclear model and the modern quantum mechanical model.
