M Prakash Institute 9th-2Years (2021-22)
L3 Structure of Atom (Part-2)
• Primitive Atomic theories:
Ernest Rutherford(1871-1937):
In 1910, the New Zealand physicist, Rutherford presented a nuclear
model of atom based on his well known Gold foil experiment. To
verify Thomson’s hypothesis he performed experiments involving
scattering of a particles by a thin gold foil.
* What are α− particles?
α particles are particles identical to the nucleus of helium atom.
They have a charged of +2 and a relative mass of 4.
* Why gold foil?
Rutherford wished to use as thin a foil as possible. As gold is the
most malleable metal it was chosen. The thickness of the foil was
4×10−7 m.
Rutherford’s Gold foil Experiment:
The experiment was performed as follows:
A thin gold foil was bombarded with α particles (He+2 ) emitted
by a certain radioactive substance. It was found that the particles
were scattered in various directions.
Figure (a) shows the path of the α particles after they hit the gold
sheet. Figure (b) shows the arrangement of atoms in the gold sheets
and the path of the α particles in relation to this.
Observations
*Most of these pass through without deviation
*Some are deflected slightly through small angles
*A few rebound backwards
These observations were not in tune with Thomson’s model and
Rutherford proposed his planetary model of atom.
Rutherford’s Model
1. Since most a particles pass through without deviation, the gold
foil (and hence any substance) is mostly empty space.
2. Since a few a particles are deflected backwards, they must have
encountered a concentration of mass and positive charge in a very
small volume of space. This was identified with the nucleus of the
atom where all the positive charge is concentrated.
3. Since atoms also have electrons these were assumed to revolve
around the nucleus at relatively large distance.
4. Since this resembles the solar system. This was called the plan-
etary model.
5. The structure of the atom was proposed to be as given in the
following figure.
[Atomic Radius is measured in Ao , Nanometer, Picometer or Fem-
tometer.
1 Femtometer = 10−15 meter
1 Picometer = 10−12 meter
1 Ao = 10−10 meter]
* In Rutherford’s model, he proposed that the atomic radius is 1
Ao and nuclear radius is 10−15 meter, i.e., 1 Fm.
Limitations of Rutherford’s model
1. According to Classical theory of electromagnetic radiation, ro-
tating electrons should continuously emit energy and should de-
scribe a spiral path until they eventually fall into the nucleus. This
way, the atom would have been very unstable. But in reality, atom
is quite stable.
2. Also, such electrons emitting radiation should cover a continuous
range of wavelengths and thus give a continuous emission spectrum.
Rather emission spectrum of an atom is a line spectrum.*
3. Another drawback of this model is that it says nothing about
the distribution of electrons around the nucleus.
[ *Spectrum When light is passed through a prism, it splits into
different colors. When this light is projected on a screen, we see a
colored band. This band is called spectrum.
2. e)Niels Bohr (1885-1962):
In order to overcome the shortcomings of Rutherford’s model, in
1913 Bohr proposed a theory which was a combination of Nuclear
model of atom and quantum theory.
Bohr’ model:
1) Gases emit light when heated. When this light is passed through
a prism, we see a coloured spectrum. In this spectrum discrete lines
of light are observed instead of a continuous coloured band. Since
light is a form of energy, this observation tells us that atoms of the
gas have discrete energy levels.
2) Neil’s Bohr solved the problem of hydrogen gas spectrum in the
following way-
3) Bohr’s Model of hydrogen (or hydrogen like) atom:
a) Bohr assumed that electron revolves in circular orbit around the
positive nucleus.
b) Only certain orbits are allowed i.e. radius of an orbit cannot
have any value but only certain discrete values.
c) An electron revolving in an allowed orbit does not radiate en-
ergy.
d) When the electron jumps from a higher to a lower orbit, it emits
energy in the form of light. The energy of the emitted light is the
difference of the energies of the two orbits. This explains the dis-
creteness of the spectrum.
Limitations:
Important limitation of Bohr’s model was it could explain the spec-
trum of hydrogen gas only. It could not explain in detail the spec-
trum of other gases.
Assignment
1. State the three observations of Rutherford’s experiment. State
the significance of each observation in direction of determining the
structure of atom.
2. Find approximately how many gold atoms must be present in
the thickness of the foil Rutherford had taken in his experiment.
Consider the radius of a gold atom 235 picometres.
3. Explain the function of the circular fluorescent ZnS screen in
Rutherford experiment.
4. Why was the atomic model of Rutherford rejected?
5. Explain Niels Bohr’s contribution to the atomic theory.
