Atomic Theory Timeline

John Dalton: Ernest Rutherford: Erwin Schrodinger:

John Dalton discovered that all matter is composed Rutherford was the first person Schrodinger discovered that the behaviour of
of small atoms, or particles. He discovered this to discover that an atom has a electrons can be explained by treating them
theory by looking at the thermal expansion of gases dense mass in its center called a as waves. He formulated a wave equation to
and evaporation. This lead him to believe that all nucleus. He conducted the gold calculate the energy levels in atoms. He
matter is made of atoms. He was the first person to foil that let him observe the received a Nobel Prize for his work in 1933.
look at colorblindness. positive charges in the atoms.

James Chadwick:
Democritus: JJ Thomson: Niels Bohr: James Chadwick discovered the
Democritus contributed the JJ Thomson discovered using Niels Bohr was the first scientists to neutron. He reasoned that it was a
understanding that all matter is Cathode Ray tubes that there discover that electrons orbit the neutral subatomic particle in the atom.
made of particles. He found this are negatively charged nucleus. He based this off of the He performed the Beryllium
information by theorizing that it subatomic particles, also known hydrogen atom diagram. He won a bombardment experiment. This gave
was possible to cut a substance as electrons. He related this to Nobel Prize in 1922 for his work. him the insight that there was another
or object infinitely without plum pudding, the raisins being subatomic particle that was in the
taking away the integrity. the electrons and the pudding atom. His discovery lead to the
Democritus was known as the being the protons. creation of the atomic bomb.
“laughing philosopher”