How do we know about the structure of the atom?

MYTUTOR SUBJECT ANSWERS

Answers / Physics / GCSE / How do we know about the structure of the atom?

634 views

How do we know about the structure of the atom?

Scientists originally thought that atoms were like a 'plum pudding' in that they were a sphere of positive charge with negatively charged electrons scattered about inside it. This was because they observed from experiment that the atom was neutral and also that it contained electrons. Therefore the negatively charged electrons must be cancelled out by a positive charge.

However, a scientist named Rutherford proved this model wrong by firing positively charged particles named alpha particles at some atoms in gold foil. Most of the alpha particles went straight through the foil but some were deflected back the way they had come.

This lead to our current model of the atom where most of it is empty space, allowing most of the particles to pass straight through. The nucleus is a positively charged collection of protons and neutrons (which have no charge) and so repels the positively charged alpha particles. The electrons surround this nucleus in rings.

1 year ago

Answered by Katherine, a GCSE Physics tutor with MyTutor

Still stuck? Get one-to-one help from a personally interviewed subject specialist

222 SUBJECT SPECIALISTS

£24 /hr

James L.

Degree: Medical Sciences (Bachelors) - Exeter University

Subjects offered:Physics, Science+ 4 more

“Hi, I'm James, a Masters student studying Biology. I'm really passionate about science, and I hope i can share some of it with you!”

5.0

94 reviews | 267 completed tutorials

Save profile

Alicia P. GCSE Maths tutor, A Level Maths tutor, A Level Further Math...

View profile

£18 /hr

Alicia P.

Degree: Maths and Economics (Bachelors) - Leeds University

Subjects offered:Physics, Maths+ 1 more

“Maths and Economics Student from Uni of Leeds. Very friendly with previous experience of working with and teaching younger people.”

MyTutor guarantee

| 3 completed tutorials

Save profile

Nketia O. A Level Chemistry tutor, A Level Biology tutor, GCSE Chemis...

View profile

£22 /hr

Nketia O.

Degree: Pharmacy (Masters) - Durham University

Subjects offered:Physics, Chemistry+ 1 more

“Hello! My name’s Nketia. I got an A* in A-Level Biology and an A in A-Level Chemistry. I’m a second-year Pharmacy student who is ready to teach others.”

5.0

67 reviews | 128 completed tutorials

Save profile

See more GCSE Physics tutors

About the author

View profile

£22 /hr

Katherine R.

Degree: Physics (Bachelors) - Durham University

Subjects offered:Physics

“I am a Natural Sciences student at Durham University who specialises in Physics so I love talking about all things to do with science! I hope in my tutorial you will enjoy talking with me about everything from stars and galaxies to th...”

5.0

12 reviews | 47 completed tutorials

Save profile

Version:	3.49.3
Build:	d44f18974ed8
Time:	2017-08-17T14:08:28Z

MYTUTOR SUBJECT ANSWERS

How do we know about the structure of the atom?

Still stuck? Get one-to-one help from a personally interviewed subject specialist

222 SUBJECT SPECIALISTS

About the author

You may also like...

Posts by Katherine

Other GCSE Physics questions

One-to-one help is at your fingertips