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Describe the plum-pudding model of the atom proposed by Thomson around 1897. - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question b - 2016
Question b
Describe the plum-pudding model of the atom proposed by Thomson around 1897.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Describe the plum-pudding model of the atom proposed by Thomson around 1897. - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question b - 2016
Step 1
Describe the components of the model
Answer
The plum-pudding model, proposed by J.J. Thomson in 1897, describes the atom as a sphere filled with positive charge, where negatively charged electrons are embedded within this positive matrix, resembling plums in a pudding.
In this model:
- Electrons are the negatively charged particles embedded in the positive mass of the atom.
- The positive charge acts as a uniform sphere, contributing to the overall atom's stability and neutrality.
Step 2
Discuss the implications of the model
Answer
Thomson's model was revolutionary at its time, suggesting that atoms are not indivisible as previously thought. Instead, they are made up of smaller particles:
- The existence of electrons provided an explanation for electrical conduction and chemical bonding.
- This framework also laid the groundwork for future models of atomic structure by challenging the classical view of the atom and introducing the concept of subatomic particles.