answersLogoWhite

0

Rutherford advanced atomic theory by suggesting a "next step" in atomic structure. We now know that atoms have a nucleus with neutrons and protons in it, and that's something over 99.99% of the total mass of the atom. The electrons form up in shells in the electron cloud. But what about back then?

The J.J. Thompson model of the atom was one called "plum pudding" with the massive elements inside just "scattered around" like plums in a pudding. This Thompson model had no central mass. Rutherford, based on his "thinking through" the results of experimentation, figured out that the mass of the atom must be concentrated in a central location with electrons orbiting around it. His contribution stands as a monument to his efforts and as an important "stepping stone" to further refinement of the atomic model.

Remember that scientists see themselves standing on the shoulders of earlier investigators, and as Rutherford stood on Thompson's shoulders, so did Bohr stand on Rutherford's. Thus is science advanced. A link can be found below.

Physicists knew that the atom contained positive and negative charges in equal numbers, but not how they were distributed. It was believed that there was a cloud of positive charge, with the negative electrons distributed all through it like currants in a plum pudding. There was no real evidence for the "plum pudding" model, it just seemed reasonable on mathematical grounds.

Rutherford tried firing a narrow stream of (positively charged) alpha particles at a thin gold foil and detecting where they came out. He thought that the particles would go through the foil, but some would be deflected slightly by passing close to an electron in an atom. Many were, but some were deflected by large amounts, even to the extent of being deflected right back towards the source of particles.

This was astounding ! Rutherford himself said that it was like firing a fifteen inch shell at a piece of tissue paper and having it bounce back. Rutherford decided that the only way this could happen was if all the positive charges were concentrated in one small place, with the negative electrons orbiting this "nucleus" like planets round a star. This is how atoms are structured. Rutherford discovered the proton; he later suggested that there might be a neutral particle called a neutron. It was one of Rutherford's students (Chadwick) who actually discovered the neutron later.

Rutherford made the atomic theory in 1919 when he was working for J.J. Thompson. He found the atomic nucleas but he also made it so that people knew what matter is made up of.

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Physics

What is the contribution of ernest Rutherford in development of atomic theory?

Ernest Rutherford is known for his famous gold foil experiment, which led to the discovery of the atomic nucleus and the proposal of the nuclear model of the atom. His work helped to refine the understanding of the structure of the atom and laid the foundation for the development of modern atomic theory.


Who are the scientist involve in the atomic theory?

Some of the key scientists involved in the development of atomic theory include John Dalton, who proposed the atomic theory in the early 19th century, J.J. Thomson, who discovered the electron, Ernest Rutherford, known for his gold foil experiment that led to the discovery of the nucleus, and Niels Bohr, who developed the planetary model of the atom.


When were atomic theory and the theory of relativity?

Atomic theory began to develop in the early 19th century with scientists like John Dalton, and continued to evolve through contributions from scientists like Niels Bohr and Ernest Rutherford. The theory of relativity was introduced by Albert Einstein in the early 20th century, with his Special Theory of Relativity published in 1905 and General Theory of Relativity in 1915.


What was rutherford's major contributions to the atomic theory?

Ernest Rutherford's major contributions to the atomic theory include the discovery of the atomic nucleus and the development of the planetary model of the atom. His gold foil experiment led to the conclusion that atoms are mostly empty space with a dense positive nucleus at the center. This work laid the foundation for our understanding of atomic structure.


Where was the Rutherford's experiment conducted?

Ernest Rutherford's famous gold foil experiment, which led to the discovery of the atomic nucleus, was conducted at the University of Manchester in England in 1909.

Related Questions

What year did Ernest Rutherford contribute to the atomic theory?

1955


What was Rutherford's contributions to the atomic theory?

Ernest Rutherford contributed to the atomic theory through his gold foil experiment. He discovered that there was a positively charged central core to the atom and he called it the nucleus.


What was Rutherford atomic model called?

The Rutherford-Atomic Theory was published by Ernest Rutherford. It described the atom as having a central positive nucleus surrounded by negative orbiting electrons.


Who Ernest Rutherford?

Ernest Rutherford was an investigator of atomic theory, and it was his model of the atom, the one with the mass concentrated in the center, that replaced the J.J. Thompson model. Links are provided below.


What is the contribution of ernest Rutherford in development of atomic theory?

Ernest Rutherford is known for his famous gold foil experiment, which led to the discovery of the atomic nucleus and the proposal of the nuclear model of the atom. His work helped to refine the understanding of the structure of the atom and laid the foundation for the development of modern atomic theory.


What did Ernest Rutherford add to are knowledge of atoms?

Ernest Rutherford's gold foil experiment led to the discovery of the atomic nucleus and the proposal of the nuclear model of the atom. He demonstrated that atoms are mostly empty space with a dense, positively charged nucleus at the center. This helped pave the way for further understanding of atomic structure and the development of the modern atomic theory.


Which scientist developed atomic model?

John Dalton developed the first modern atomic theory in the early 19th century, proposing that elements are made up of tiny, indivisible particles called atoms. Later, Ernest Rutherford's gold foil experiment in 1911 led to the discovery of the nucleus and the planetary model of the atom.


Who discovered the existence of the atomic necleus?

Ernest Rutherford


Who was Ernest Rutherford influenced by?

Ernest Rutherford conducted his studies to test J.J Thompsons 'Plum Pudding' theory.


How did ernst Rutherford contribute to scientific knowledge?

Ernest Rutherford helped further develop the atomic theory though his was still not the most correct. He created his Rutherford model for atoms, later corrected further by Bohr.


What theory did scientist Rutherford create?

The Atomic Theory


What early theory of atomic structure described electrons as moving around a central nucleus similar to the solar system?

The early theory of atomic structure that described electrons as moving around a central nucleus similar to the solar system is known as the Rutherford atomic model. Proposed by Ernest Rutherford in 1911, this model suggested that electrons orbit the nucleus in defined paths.