Explain why the nuclear model of the atom replaced the plum pudding model of the atom?

Rutherford performs the alpha particle scattering experiment. Alpha particles incident on a gold foil in a vaccum are scattered by a range of angles, due to the electrostatic repulsion between the positively charged alpha particles and positively charged gold nucleus. The experimental results obtained by Rutherford did not correspond to the theoretical predictions made by the plum pudding model. Therefore, the plum pudding model had to be replaced.The plum pudding model has the charge spread over a volume that was too high to display the experimentally observed results, so a new model was introduced (nuclear model) with the positive charge spread over a much smaller volume, inside a nucleus, as a way to increase the positive charge density. This also meant that much of the mass was concentrated inside a nucleus aswell. The theoretical predictions of the new model matched the experimental results, hence the nuclear model is the accepted model by the scientific community.

AR
Answered by Andrew R. Physics tutor

6704 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Describe the basic principles of ultrasound imaging (2 marks)


How does heat transfer through convection work?


What is the difference between evaporation and boiling?


Could you explain the how an AC generator works?


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:

© 2025 by IXL Learning