Rutherford's Atomic Revelation: The Nuclear Model

Rutherford proposed an atomic model where most of the atom is empty space, with a dense nucleus at the center containing all positive charge and mass. Electrons orbit the nucleus in circular paths, similar to planets around the sun, leading to the planetary model analogy. The atom is electrically neutral as the number of electrons equals the positive charge of the nucleus. Strong electrostatic attractions hold electrons and the nucleus together. The atom's stability is due to the balance of centripetal and centrifugal forces acting on the electrons.

What did Rutherford propose about the structure of the atom?

How did Rutherford describe the nucleus in terms of size compared to the atom?

What analogy did Rutherford use to describe the movement of electrons around the nucleus?

According to Rutherford, what is the overall charge of an atom and why?

What is the significance of the balance between centripetal and centrifugal forces in Rutherford's atomic model?