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J.J.Thomson suggested the 'plum pudding' model of atoms - OCR Gateway - GCSE Chemistry: Combined Science - Question 17 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 17
J.J.Thomson suggested the 'plum pudding' model of atoms. Rutherford, working with Geiger and Marsden, tested J.J.Thomson's 'plum pudding' model. Look at the diagra... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:J.J.Thomson suggested the 'plum pudding' model of atoms - OCR Gateway - GCSE Chemistry: Combined Science - Question 17 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
What conclusions did Rutherford, Geiger and Marsden draw from the experiment?
Answer
Rutherford, Geiger, and Marsden concluded that most of the particles went straight through the gold foil without being deflected, indicating that most of the atom is empty space. They also observed that a few particles were slightly deflected, suggesting that there is a positive charge within the nucleus that repels alpha particles. The observation that very few particles were greatly deflected indicated that the nucleus is very small and concentrated. Overall, these results led to the conclusion that atoms have a dense nucleus surrounded by a much larger volume of empty space.
Step 2
Why is it important that scientists publish their results?
Answer
It is important for scientists to publish their results to make their findings available to the scientific community, which allows others to verify and build upon their work. Publishing results enables scientists to share ideas and different viewpoints, facilitates further research, and ensures that the contributions of individual scientists are recognized within the broader scientific community.
Step 3
What new idea did Bohr add to the model of the atom?
Answer
Bohr introduced the idea that electrons orbit the nucleus at specific energy levels, which means that electrons have defined amounts of energy. This model underpinning electron configuration marked a significant departure from the previous models of the atom, enhancing the understanding of atomic structure.