Unveiling the Atom's Secrets: A Timeline

This table summarizes the key discoveries in our understanding of atoms:

Year Scientist(s) Discovery/Theory

Ancient Greek Idea: Proposed tiny, indivisible particles called

400 BC Democritus
"atomos" (meaning "uncuttable") as the basic unit of matter.

First Modern Theory: * All matter is made of tiny, indivisible

atoms. * Atoms of a specific element are identical. * Atoms combine

1803 John Dalton
in simple ratios to form compounds. * Chemical reactions involve

rearranging atoms.

Electrons Discovered: Identified the electron, a negatively charged

1897 J.J. Thomson subatomic particle. Proposed the "plum pudding" model: a positively

charged sphere with electrons scattered throughout.

The Nucleus Emerges: Conducted the gold-foil experiment,

Ernest
1911 revealing a small, dense, positively charged nucleus and mostly
Rutherford
empty space within the atom. Proposed the "nuclear model".

Electrons in Orbits: Proposed the "planetary model": Electrons exist

1913 Niels Bohr in specific energy levels or orbits around the nucleus, like planets

around the Sun.

Atomic Number Defined: Discovered the atomic number, the

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

Louis de Wave-Particle Duality: Proposed that matter, like electrons, could

1923
Broglie exhibit both wave and particle properties.

1932 James Neutrons Found: Discovered the neutron, a neutral subatomic

 Chadwick particle in the nucleus.

Quantum Mechanics Takes Over: Electrons exist in probability

1926- Various
clouds (orbitals) around the nucleus. Their behavior is described by
Present Scientists
probabilities based on wavefunctions.