Rutherford's Atomic Model
Understanding the structure of the atom took a major turn in 1897 when J.J. Thomson discovered the electron—the first subatomic particle.
In 1911, Ernest Rutherford designed an experiment using a thin sheet of gold foil, a source of alpha particles, which are small, positively charged particles, and a screen that glowed when the particles hit it.
He directed the alpha particles at the foil to observe their behavior. If Thomson’s model were correct, the alpha particles should have passed straight through the foil with minor deflections, since the positive charges were described as relatively weak and diffuse.
Surprisingly, while most particles passed through as expected, some deflected at large angles, and a few even bounced back.
This unexpected behavior made Rutherford realize that the atom’s positive charge wasn’t spread out but concentrated in a tiny, dense center, which he called the nucleus. He also concluded that most of an atom is empty space, with electrons orbiting the nucleus.
To describe this idea, Rutherford proposed the planetary model, where electrons revolve around the massive nucleus, much like planets orbit the sun.
Rutherford's Atomic Model
In 1911, New Zealand-born scientist Ernest Rutherford conducted a groundbreaking experiment known as the gold foil experiment…
Understanding the structure of the atom took a major turn in 1897 when J.J. Thomson discovered the electron—the first subatomic particle.
In 1911, Ernest Rutherford designed an experiment using a thin sheet of gold foil, a source of alpha particles, which are small, positively charged particles, and a screen that glowed when the particles hit it.
He directed the alpha particles at the foil to observe their behavior. If Thomson’s model were correct, the alpha particles should have passed straight through the foil with minor deflections, since the positive charges were described as relatively weak and diffuse.
Surprisingly, while most particles passed through as expected, some deflected at large angles, and a few even bounced back.
This unexpected behavior made Rutherford realize that the atom’s positive charge wasn’t spread out but concentrated in a tiny, dense center, which he called the nucleus. He also concluded that most of an atom is empty space, with electrons orbiting the nucleus.
To describe this idea, Rutherford proposed the planetary model, where electrons revolve around the massive nucleus, much like planets orbit the sun.
Understanding the structure of the atom took a major turn in 1897 when J.J. Thomson discovered the electron—the first subatomic particle.
In 1911, Ernest Rutherford designed an experiment using a thin sheet of gold foil, a source of alpha particles, which are small, positively charged particles, and a screen that glowed when the particles hit it.
He directed the alpha particles at the foil to observe their behavior. If Thomson’s model were correct, the alpha particles should have passed straight through the foil with minor deflections, since the positive charges were described as relatively weak and diffuse.
Surprisingly, while most particles passed through as expected, some deflected at large angles, and a few even bounced back.
This unexpected behavior made Rutherford realize that the atom’s positive charge wasn’t spread out but concentrated in a tiny, dense center, which he called the nucleus. He also concluded that most of an atom is empty space, with electrons orbiting the nucleus.
To describe this idea, Rutherford proposed the planetary model, where electrons revolve around the massive nucleus, much like planets orbit the sun.
View the full transcript and gain access to JoVE Core videos
From Chapter undefined:
Now Playing
Rutherford's Atomic Model
Related Videos
446 Views
Atomic Structure (Proton, Neutron and Electron)
Related Videos
131 Views
Atomic Forces
Related Videos
74 Views
Ion
Related Videos
55 Views
Isotope
Related Videos
43 Views
Thomson's Atomic Model
Related Videos
583 Views
Bohr's Atomic Model
Related Videos
152 Views