Development of Atomic Theory: A Timeline

Here's a table outlining the development of atomic theory with key discoveries and scientists involved:

Year Scientist(s) Discovery/Theory

Proposed the idea of indivisible particles called "atomos" (meaning "uncuttable") as

400 BC Democritus
the fundamental unit of matter.

Developed the first modern atomic theory, stating: * All matter is made of tiny,

indivisible particles called atoms. * Atoms of a specific element are identical in size
1803 John Dalton
and mass. * Atoms of different elements combine in simple whole-number ratios to

form compounds. * Chemical reactions involve the rearrangement of atoms.

Discovered the electron, a negatively charged subatomic particle, through cathode ray

1897 J.J. Thomson experiments. Proposed the "plum pudding" model of the atom, with negatively charged

electrons scattered throughout a positively charged sphere.

Conducted the gold-foil experiment, demonstrating that the atom has a small, dense,
Ernest
1911 positively charged nucleus and mostly empty space. Proposed the "nuclear model" of
Rutherford
the atom.

Proposed the "planetary model" of the atom, with electrons existing in specific energy

1913 Niels Bohr levels or orbits around the nucleus. Electrons could jump between orbits, emitting or

absorbing energy in the process.

Henry Discovered the atomic number, the number of protons in an atom's nucleus, which
1919
Moseley determines the element's identity.

Louis de Proposed the wave-particle duality of matter, suggesting that electrons could behave as
1923
Broglie both particles and waves.

James
1932 Discovered the neutron, a neutral subatomic particle in the nucleus.
Chadwick

1926- Various Development of the quantum mechanical model of the atom: Electrons exist in

Present Scientists probability clouds (orbitals) around the nucleus, and their behavior is described by
 probabilities based on wavefunctions.

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Note: This table presents a simplified timeline. Many other scientists contributed to the development of
atomic theory. The quantum mechanical model is the current understanding of atomic structure, though
ongoing research continues to refine it.

Sources

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