Rutherford

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Rutherford's Atomic Structure Theory is a groundbreaking scientific concept developed by Ernest Rutherford. In 1911, he proposed that atoms are not small, indivisible particles but rather tiny solar systems consisting of a massive nucleus at their center surrounded by electrons orbiting in elliptical paths. The discovery of alpha and beta radiation led Rutherford to formulate his model. He conducted an experiment known as the gold foil experiment where he bombarded thin sheets of gold with high-energy alpha particles. The results showed that most alpha particles passed through the gold, but a small percentage were deflected at various angles. Rutherford's findings indicated that atoms have a dense central core, now called the nucleus, containing positively charged protons and neutral neutrons. The electrons revolve around this nucleus in circular orbits, which Rutherford referred to as "electron clouds."