Slide 8

Thomson Model of Atom
● Thomson was awarded Nobel Prize for physics in 1906, for

his theoretical and experimental investigations on the
conduction of electricity by gases
J. J. Thomson, in 1898, proposed that an atom possesses a spherical
shape (radius approximately 10–10 m) in which the positive charge is
uniformly distributed.
● The electrons are embedded into it in such a manner as to give
the most stable electrostatic arrangement (Fig. 1).
● Many different names are given to this model,
for example, plum pudding, raisin pudding or watermelon
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• This model can be visualised as a pudding or
watermelon of positive charge with plums or seeds
(electrons) embedded into it.
• An important feature of this model is that the mass of
the atom is assumed to be uniformly distributed over
the atom.
• this model was able to explain the overall neutrality of
the atom, but was not consistent with the results of
later experiments.
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Rutherford’s Nuclear Model of Atom
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• Rutherford’s famous α–particle scattering experiment is
shown in fig. A.
• A stream of high energy α–particles from a radioactive source
was directed at a thin foil (thickness ∼ 100 nm) of gold metal.
• The thin gold foil had a circular fluorescent zinc sulphide
screen around it.
• Whenever α–particles struck the screen, a tiny flash of light
was produced at that point.
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• The results of scattering experiment were quite unexpected.
• It was observed that :
• (i) most of the α– particles passed through the gold foil un

deflected.
• (ii) a small fraction of the α–particles was deflected by small

angles.
• (iii) a very few α– particles (∼1 in 20,000) bounced back, that is,
were deflected by nearly 180°.
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• On the basis of the observations, Rutherford drew the following
conclusions regarding the structure of atom :
(i) Most of the space in the atom is empty as most of the
α–particles passed through the foil undeflected
(ii) A few positively charged α– particles were deflected.
The deflection must be due to enormous repulsive force
showing that the positive charge of the atom is not spread
throughout the atom as Thomson had presumed.
The positive charge has to be concentrated in a very small
volume that repelled and deflected the positively charged
α– particles. 10
(iii) Calculations by Rutherford showed that the volume occupied by the
nucleus is negligibly small as compared to the total volume of the atom.
The radius of the atom is about 10–10 m, while that of nucleus is
10–15 m.
On the basis of above observations and conclusions, Rutherford

proposed the nuclear model of atom (after the discovery of
protons). According to this model :
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(i) The positive charge and most of the mass of the atom was
densely concentrated in extremely small region. This very
small portion of the atom was called nucleus by Rutherford.
(ii) The nucleus is surrounded by electrons that move around the

nucleus with a very high speed in circular paths called orbits.
(iii) Thus, Rutherford’s model of atom resembles the solar system

in which the nucleus plays the role of sun and the electrons
that of revolving planets.
(iv) Electrons and the nucleus are held together by electrostatic

forces of attraction.
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Drawbacks of Rutherford Model
• an electron in the nuclear model describing planet like orbits is
under acceleration.
• According to the electromagnetic theory of Maxwell, charged
particles when accelerated should emit electromagnetic
radiation.
• Therefore, an electron in an orbit will emit radiation, the energy
carried by radiation comes from electronic motion.
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• The orbit will thus continue to shrink. Calculations show that it
should take an electron only 10–8 s to spiral into the nucleus.
• But this does not happen. Thus, the Rutherford model cannot
explain the stability of an atom.
• Another serious drawback of the Rutherford model is that it says
nothing about the electronic structure of atoms
• i.e., how the electrons are distributed around the nucleus and
what are the energies of these electrons.
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Thomson Model of Atom

● Thomson was awarded Nobel Prize for physics in 1906, for

• It was observed that :

• (i) most of the α– particles passed through the gold foil un

• (ii) a small fraction of the α–particles was deflected by small

The radius of the atom is about 10–10 m, while that of nucleus is

On the basis of above observations and conclusions, Rutherford

(ii) The nucleus is surrounded by electrons that move around the

(iii) Thus, Rutherford’s model of atom resembles the solar system

(iv) Electrons and the nucleus are held together by electrostatic

• According to the electromagnetic theory of Maxwell, charged

particles when accelerated should emit electromagnetic

• Therefore, an electron in an orbit will emit radiation, the energy

carried by radiation comes from electronic motion.

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