Rutherford and Atomic Structure

Positively charged particles emitted during radioactive decay.

Negatively charged particles emitted during radioactive decay.

The process of converting one element into another.

A renowned physicist known for his groundbreaking discoveries in radioactivity and atomic structure.

Rutherford's proposed model of the atom, where electrons revolve around a small, dense nucleus.

Ernest Rutherford's experiment that aimed to prove the plum pudding model of the atom correct.

Most of the alpha particles fired at the gold foil passed straight through, indicating that the atom is mostly empty space.

Some alpha particles were deflected at different angles, suggesting that a small, dense, positively charged area existed in the center of the atom.

A small number of alpha particles bounced directly back from the gold foil. This observation proved that the atom's positive charge is concentrated in a small, dense region.

The dense, positively charged central area of an atom is called the nucleus.

The positively charged center of an atom where most of its mass is concentrated.

The fundamental building block of all elements, carrying a positive charge.

A negatively charged particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom.

Rutherford's experiment where alpha particles were fired at a thin gold foil, revealing the structure of the atom.

The concept that electrons exist in specific energy levels around the nucleus.

The process of an electron absorbing or emitting energy to move between different energy levels.

A synthetic element named after Ernest Rutherford, who made key contributions to our understanding of the atom.

Niels Bohr expanded the understanding of atomic structure by proposing that electrons occupy fixed energy levels and orbit the nucleus in specific shells, moving between these energy levels by absorbing or emitting energy.

Rutherford's findings overturned the prevailing 'plum pudding' model of the atom, which pictured a diffuse cloud of positive charge with embedded electrons.

Rutherford's discovery of the proton revolutionized understanding of atomic structure, confirming that hydrogen's nucleus is the fundamental building block of all other elements.

Rutherford's model of the atom, based on his gold foil experiment, described the atom as mostly empty space with a tiny nucleus surrounded by orbiting electrons.

Rutherford conducted experiments that successfully bombarded nitrogen and other light elements with alpha particles, leading to the emission of hydrogen nuclei, which he identified as protons.

Rutherford successfully argued for the existence of neutral particles within the nucleus, alongside protons.