Question

In what way is Rutherford's atomic model different from that of Thomson's atomic model?

Answer 1

Hint :J.J. Thomson proposed the Thomson model of atom and Ernest Rutherford proposed the Rutherford model of atom to explain the structure of an atom, respectively. The primary difference between the Thomson and Rutherford atom models is that the Thomson model does not explain the atomic nucleus, but the Rutherford model does.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
Let us use tables to better understand the differences between the two models.

Thomson model	Rutherford model
1. Electrons are immersed in a positively charged solid material that is spherical in shape, according to the Thomson model of atoms.	1. An atom, according to the Rutherford model, is made up of an atomic nucleus and electrons that surround it.
2. The atomic nucleus is not described fully in the Thomson model of atom.	2. The atomic nucleus is explained using the Rutherford model of atoms.
3. Electrons are lodged in a solid material, according to the Thomson model of atoms.	3. According to the Rutherford atom model, electrons are arranged around a centre solid substance.
4. The atom is a spherical structure, according to the Thomson model.	4. An atom, according to the Rutherford model, has a central solid core surrounded by electrons.

Note :
Rutherford proposed this atomic model using the gold foil experiment. Alpha particles were bombarded through a gold foil in this experiment, with the expectation that they would pass straight through. However, instead of penetrating straight through, alpha particles diverged in different directions. This experiment revealed that the middle of the atom has a positively charged solid material, whereas the rest of the atom contains more empty space. The nucleus was given to this solid core.