The discovery of the electron as a subatomic particle was the result of

Investigation of cathode ray.

Explanation:

The electron is subatomic particle that revolve around outside the nucleus and has negligible mass. It has a negative charge.

Symbol = e⁻

Mass = 9.10938356*10⁻³¹ Kg

It was discovered by j. j. Thomson in 1897 during the study of cathode ray properties.

He constructed the glass tube and create vacuum in it. He applied electric current between electrodes. He noticed that a ray of particles coming from cathode to wards positively charged anode. This ray was cathode ray.

Properties of cathode ray:

The ray is travel in straight line.

The cathode ray is independent of composition of cathode.

When electric field is applied cathode ray is deflected towards the positively charged plate.

Hence it was consist of negatively charged particles.