wgdfy9sfs7 12/22/2023

Atomic Theory Timeline

Origin Of Atomic Theory (2500 Years Ago)
The theory that atoms are the minuscule, indivisible
particles that comprise all matter was first
proposed by the Greek philosophers Leucippus and
Democritus. They claimed that different substances
were made up of specific forms of particles.

The Electron (Late 1800s)

Using discharge tubes, physicist J.J. Thompson
discovered that negatively charged electrons exist. He
concluded that the mass of an electron is approximately
1000 times smaller than that of a hydrogen atom, which
put the theory of atomic structure to a test.

The Plum Pudding Model (Late 1800s)

The Plum Pudding Model, brought out by J.J. Thompson,
claimed that electrons were dispersed at random within
a positively charged structure. This concept aimed to
explain why atoms are often neutrally charged.

The Nucleus (1909)

Through experiments with alpha particles on
gold foil, physicist Ernest Rutherford developed
the model. He concluded that the majority of an
atom is made up of empty space, and that atoms
have a concentrated positively charged nucleus.

Since most of the alpha particles went through the foil, he

further concluded that atoms are mostly comprised of empty
space.

The Proton (Early 20th Century)

Through the alpha particle experiments,
Rutherford discovered protons, establishing them
as fundamental particles with a positive charge.
His discoveries made a substantial contribution
to our knowledge of atomic structure.
The Planetary Model (1911)
Led by Rutherford, Neils Bohr theorized the Planetary
Model, demonstrating electrons circling a central nucleus.
This concept proposed particular electron orbits.

The resulting model is called the Planetary Model. It represents

the electrons in orbit around a central nucleus.

The Quantum Model (1927)

Precise electron position and momentum at the same
time were questioned by Werner Heisenberg's uncertainty
principle. The result was the creation of the Quantum
Model, which claimed that electrons possess properties of
both particles and waves. Orbitals are introduced, and
electron locations are expressed in terms of probability. Heisenberg mathematically determined that it is impossible to
know with certainty both the momentum of an electron and its
exact position.