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    Home » Science Experiments for Kids » A Brief History of the Atom

    A Brief History of the Atom

    May 19, 2023 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

    Atoms are tiny particles of matter which make up everything in the universe. Everything you see is made up of atoms.

    Scientists spent many years trying to understand the structure of the atom, with several models and theories being disproved or improved upon along the way. Today we know that atoms consist of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by shells ( energy levels ) of electrons. Electrons, protons and neutrons are known as subatomic particles. Each shell holds a fixed number of electrons.

    Atoms from different elements have different numbers of electrons, protons and neutrons.

    Theory of Atomic Structure

    John Dalton

    John Dalton is often known as the father of atomic theory. He proposed a theory of the atom in 1803.

    John Dalton believed that:

    All matter is made of atoms

    Atoms were solid spheres – later disproved

    Atoms within an element are the same. Atoms from different elements are not.

    Atoms couldn’t be further broken down – later disproved

    Atoms are rearranged during a chemical reaction but are not lost. This is the Law of Conservation of Mass.

    JJ Thomson

    In 1897, JJ Thomson proposed that atoms were not solid spheres. His research showed that atoms must contain negatively charged particles ( electrons ). This theory is known as the plum pudding model.

    JJ Thompson Plum Pudding model - Atomic structure

    Ernest Rutherford

    In 1909, Ernest Rutherford and two of his students conducted the now-infamous gold foil experiment. They fired positively charged alpha particles at a very thin sheet of gold. If the plum pudding model were correct, the particles would either pass through the sheet of gold or be very slightly deflected as the charge was thought to be spread through the atom. Gold was chosen as it can be made very thin.

    While most particles did pass through, some were deflected more than Rutherford expected, and some were deflected backwards, showing that the plum pudding model could not be correct. Rutherford developed a theory where the atom had a tiny positively charged nucleus in the centre with a cloud of negative electrons surrounding it.

    Alpha particles fired towards the gold foil were either deflected backwards if they were close to the nucleus or passed through the empty space of the atom.

    Ernest Rutherford's model of the atom

    Niels Bohr

    Niels Bohr developed a model of the atom with electrons arranged in fixed shells around the nucleus instead of in a cloud. Scientists thought that electrons in a cloud would be attracted to the nucleus, making the atom collapse.

    Niels Bohr Atomic Model
    Niels Bohr model of the atom

    James Chadwick

    James Chadwick conducted experiments demonstrating that atoms have neutral particles ( neutrons ) in their nucleus. James Chadwick’s model is very close to the modern-day nuclear model of the atom!

    Modern day model of the atom

    Learn more about the history of the atom

    Learn more about Ernest Rutherford, who was awarded a Nobel Prize for his work on atomic structure.

    Discover how Ernest Schrödinger extended the model proposed by Bohr.

    A brief history the atom

    Last Updated on May 19, 2023 by Emma Vanstone

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    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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