Why is the nuclear model better than the plum pudding model of the atom?

The plum pudding model was the idea of a positively charged sphere, with negative electrons dotted within it as the model of an atom. easiest understood drawn outA scientist named Rutherford did an experiment firiring positively charged alpha particles to a very thin sheet of gold, as close to 1 atom thin as possible. The experiment found that most alpha particles went straight through the gold without anything happening to them, only a small amount were deflected at big angles and an even smaller amount were backscattered. again, best being drawn out. The conclusions from this were that a very very small part of the atom must be positive, and that part must be concentrated in the centre due to the large angles. Also, most of the atom must have been empty space, as most of the alpha particles weren't affected. The plum pudding model was far from this, and so the new current nuclear model was formed from the results of this experiment. draw out nuclear model So in summary:plum pudding model was a positive sphere with small negative electrons, and mass and charge spread equally throughoutthe Rutherford experiment found most alpha particles passed straight through thin gold foil, some at large angles and some were backscattered this meant most of the atom must be empty space, with a small concentrated positive central nucleus hence the nuclear model was created

GH
Answered by Georgina H. Physics tutor

20679 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

A cricket player throws a ball such that it travels 10 meters in 2 seconds at constant acceleration. Calculate the kinetic energy of the ball if it has a mass of 1kg.


What is an isotope?


Explain the input and output energy sources for a car engine. How would you calculate the efficiency? Explain in terms of the inputs and outputs how the efficiency could be improved.


How does an optical fibre transfer light?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning