Question

What are the limitations of Rutherford’s model of an atom?

Answer 1

Hint: Rutherford presented a structure of an atom called Rutherford’s model of an atom through an experiment by bombarding a thin sheet of gold with $\alpha$ - particles and then studying the trajectory of these particles after their interaction with the gold foil.
But there were some limitations to his model which can be studied after having a look at the postulates given by him.

Complete answer:
Postulates of Rutherford’s model of an atom:
i) The mass of an atom is concentrated in a small space called the nucleus.
ii) Atoms majorly consist of positively charged particles.
iii) Negatively charged electrons revolve around atoms in circular paths called orbits at very high speed.
iv) An atom is electrically neutral i.e. has no net charge.
But there were some limitations to his model which can be studied after having a look at the postulates given by him.
Limitations of Rutherford’s model of an atom:
1. Rutherford’s model of an atom could not explain the stability of an atom - According to him, charged electrons revolve around atom in circular paths so it should experience acceleration due to which it should lose energy continuously in the form of electromagnetic radiations and then eventually fall into the nucleus there by making the atom unstable.
2. Rutherford’s model of an atom could not explain as to how the electrons are arranged in the orbits around the nucleus.

Note: Rutherford gave all his postulates after performing the experiment on gold foil and observing the movement of $\alpha$ - particles from it, though some of his postulates were inaccurate.
His model became the basis of quantum mechanics and also helped the future scientists to get an accurate model of an atom.