Atomic models: Thomson, Rutherford, Bohr
Atomic Structure · Chemistry
Bohr atom
Interactive 3DElectrons orbit the nucleus in shells — switch element to see H, He and Li fill their shells.
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Study notes
Rutherford's gold-foil experiment: most alpha particles passed through, 1 in 8000 bounced back. What did each observation prove? Step 1: Most passed undeflected → atom is mostly empty space. Step 2: Few deflected at angles → a small dense positive centre repels them. Step 3: Very few bounced back → that centre is tiny but massive (nucleus). Conclusion: nuclear model — electrons around a minute massive nucleus.
Related topics
- Dalton's atomic theory and its limitations
- Subatomic particles: discovery of electron, proton, neutron
- Bohr model: energy levels, radius, hydrogen spectrum
- Rydberg formula and spectral series (Lyman, Balmer, Paschen, Brackett, Pfund)
- Wave–particle duality and de Broglie wavelength
- Heisenberg's uncertainty principle