Greek philosophers Democritus and Leucippus developed the idea that all matter is

composed of tiny, indivisible particles called atoms. However, their atomic theory was
based only on assumptions. It was not until the early 1800s that experiments were
performed to develop models for the structure of the atom.

In 1803, John Dalton, a British scientist, did experiments on mixtures of gases. He

studied how the properties of individual gases affect the properties of the mixtures of
these gases. He developed the hypothesis that the sizes of the particles making up
different gases must be different. After several experiments, he concluded that all matter
is composed of spherical atoms, which cannot be broken down into smaller pieces. He
added that all atoms of one element are identical to each other but different from the
atoms of another element.

Discovery of the Subatomic Particles

The Electrons in the Plum Pudding Model

In 1897, Joseph John Thomson, a British physicist, proposed an atomic model

known as the plum pudding model. His model consisted of negatively charged particles
(plum) spread evenly throughout the positively charged material (pudding). The small,
negatively charged particles are called electrons.
The Protons in the Planetary Model

In the early 1900s, Ernest Rutherford, a New Zealand-born physicist, established the
planetary model which described the atom as small, dense, and has a positively charged
core called the nucleus. Inside the nucleus are positively charged particles called
the protons. The nucleus is surrounded by negatively charged particles or electrons.
The electrostatic attraction between electrons and nucleus mimics the gravitational
force of attraction between planets and the sun.

The Neutrons

In 1923, James Chadwick proved the existence of the neutron, which is also situated
in the nucleus together with the proton. It has the same mass as the proton but unlike
the latter, it has no electric charge.

Recent Atomic Models

Bohrs Atomic Model

Rutherfords model showed that the electrons and nucleus have opposite charges which
according to the laws of physics, will attract each other. Thus, Rutherford's model would
have electrons collapsing into the nucleus, making the atom unstable. Niels
Bohr solved this problem by proposing that the electrons orbit around the nucleus in
set energy levels. An electron absorbs energy if it moves from lower to higher energy
level, and it emits energy if it returns to the lower energy level.

Quantum Mechanical Model

The quantum mechanical model of the atom states that a nucleus is surrounded by a
cloud of electrons called orbitals. It explains that it is impossible to determine the exact
location of the electron at a given time, but one can find its probable location. It
incorporates the concept of Bohrs model where the electrons move in one orbital to
another by absorbing or emitting energy.

John Dalton described the atom as spherical.

Joseph John Thomson discovered the electron.
Ernest Rutherford proposed that the electrons orbit around the nucleus. He,
together with his students, discovered the proton.
Niels Bohr proposed that electrons orbit around the nucleus in set energy
levels.
James Chadwick discovered the neutron.
Niels Bohr proposed that the electrons orbit around the nucleus in set energy
levels.
In the quantum mechanical model, the nucleus is surrounded by a cloud of
electrons called orbitals.
Question 1
It is the basic unit of an element.
 Select your answer.
1compound2energy3matter4atom
Question 2
Which of the following are particles that make up an atom?
Select multiple answers and then press Answer.
1photon2proton3electron4neutron
Question 3
He proposed that the electrons orbit around the nucleus in set energy levels.
Select your answer.
1John Dalton2Joseph John Thomson3Ernest Rutherford4Niels Bohr
Question 4
Why is Ernest Rutherford's model called the planetary model?
Select your answer.
1The nucleus emits energy that mimics the emission of solar energy from the
Sun.2It is not related to Rutherford's model.3The electrostatic interaction of
electrons and nucleus mimics the gravitational force of attraction between planets
4
and the sun. The movement of the subatomic particles follows the movement of the
planets.
Question 5
Which of the following describes John Dalton's model?
Select your answer.
1He described the atom as small, dense, and has a positively charged core called
nucleus.2He described that the atom consists of negatively charged particles evenly
spread throughout a positively charged material.3He described the atom as
spherical, which contain different subatomic particles.4He described the atom as
spherical, which cannot be broken down into smaller parts.
Question 6
Which of the following are not true about Bohrs model?
Select multiple answers and then press Answer.
1He proposed that an electron absorbs energy if it moves from higher to lower
energy level, and it emits energy if it returns to the higher energy level.2He
proposed that the electrons orbit around the nucleus set energy levels. 3He proposed
that the nucleus orbits around the electrons in set energy levels.4He proposed that
an electron absorbs energy if it moves from lower to higher energy level, and it emits
energy if it returns to the lower energy level.
Question 7
Which of the following are true about the neutrons?
Select multiple answers and then press Answer.
 1The neutron is found together with the protons inside the nucleus.2The neutron is
a positively charged particle.3The neutron was proven to exist by James
Chadwick.4The neutron is found on the space surrounding the nucleus.
Question 8
Which of the following is true about the quantum mechanical model?
Select your answer.
1This model states that the nucleus is surrounded by orbitals and the only probable
location of the electrons is determined.2This model states that the nucleus is
surrounded by orbits and the exact location of the electrons is determined.3This
model states that the nucleus is surrounded by orbitals and the exact location of the
4
electrons is determined. This model states that the nucleus is surrounded by orbits
and the only probable location of the electrons is determined.
Question 9
Why did Niels Bohr disprove Rutherford's model?
Select your answer.
1Rutherford's model showed that the electrons freely move within the
nucleus.2Rutherfords model showed that the electrons and nucleus have opposite
charges; thus, the electrons would collapse into the nucleus, making the atom
3 4
unstable. Rutherford's model was based on assumptions. Rutherford's model of
the electrons as negatively charged and the nucleus as positively charged were
inconclusive.
Question 10
Which of the following are true about the discovery of subatomic particles?
Select multiple answers and then press Answer.
1Niels Bohr discovered the proton.2James Chadwick discovered the
neutron.3Joseph John Thomson discovered the electron.4Ernest Rutherford
discovered the proton in the nucleus.
Answer