400 BC 1803 1897 1911 1913

Democritus John Dalton J.J. Ernest Niels Bohr

Thomson Rutherford

Proposed Proposed the atomic

theory with indivisible
Discovered the electron Conducted the gold foil
experiment and proposed Proposed the planetary
and proposed the “plum
the concept atoms and different pudding” model of the
the nuclear model of the
atom with a dense
model of the atom with
electrons moving in specific
elements having
atom
of the atom
nucleus and electrons orbits around the nucleus
different atoms orbiting around it

In 1803, John In 1897, J.J. In 1911, Ernest

Around 400 Dalton Thomson Rutherford Building upon
conducted the Rutherford’s
BC, formulated the discovered the
gold foil work, Niels Bohr
Democritus atomic theory, existence of
experiment and proposed the
which laid the electrons
proposed the made a planetary model
foundation for through his
concept of the modern atomic
groundbreaking of the atom in
atom. He experiments with observation. He 1913. According
understanding. to this model,
cathode rays. He discovered that
suggested that He proposed that electrons move in
proposed the most of the atom’s
all matter is elements are mass and positive specific energy
“plum pudding”
composed of made up of tiny, charge is levels or shells
indivisible model,
concentrated in a around the
small, suggesting that
particles called tiny, dense region nucleus. Each
indivisible atoms. According atoms are shell has a fixed
called the nucleus.
particles called to Dalton’s composed of a Rutherford’s energy, and
atoms. theory, atoms of positively model depicted electrons can
different charged sphere electrons orbiting transition
elements have with negatively around the between shells by
different nucleus, similar to absorbing or
charged
planets orbiting emitting energy.
properties and electrons
combine in fixed the sun.
embedded
ratios to form within it.
compounds