Ernest Rutherford and His Work By : Navya, Sreyas, Sivani Ernest Rutherford ● ● ● ● Born: 30 August 1871, Brightwater, New Zealand Died: 19 October 1937, Cambridge, United Kingdom Academic advisors: J. J. Thomson, Alexander William Bickerton Influenced :Niels Bohr, James Chadwick, Henry Moseley, MORE About The Nuclear Model ● ● Rutherford overturned Thomson’s model in 1911 with his famous gold-foil experiment, in which he demonstrated that the atom has a tiny, massive nucleus. Nuclear model of atom refers to the model in which most of mass of the atom is concentrated at one positive center. This model was suggested by Rutherford's experiment. That the nucleus also contains neutral particles called neutron was discovered by Chadwick. Why is the nuclear model better than the previous ones? Prior to the nuclear model, models such as atomism, the solid sphere model and the plum pudding model existed. (to summarize) some of the previous models stated that there is no further division to to atoms, although the nuclear model states that there are further divisions to to atoms. In the nuclear model, the atom has a positively-charged nucleus, around which much lighter, negatively-charged electrons circulate, much like planets in the Solar system. Pros and Cons of Nuclear Model Pros: - - - Explains Nuclear Stability: The nuclear model successfully explains the stability of certain nuclei by proposing that protons and neutrons occupy specific energy levels or shells within the nucleus, similar to electrons in atomic shells. Predicts Magic Numbers: The model predicts the existence of "magic numbers," which are specific values of protons or neutrons that result in increased stability. Nuclei with magic numbers of protons or neutrons tend to be more stable and abundant. Captures Certain Nuclear Properties: The model provides a good description of certain nuclear properties, such as nuclear spin and magnetic moments, which are observed experimentally. Cons: - - - - Ignores Nuclear Forces Details: The nuclear model simplifies the interactions between nucleons (protons and neutrons) by treating them as if they move independently within the nucleus. In reality, nucleons experience complex forces, including the strong nuclear force, which is not fully captured by the model. Limited to Certain Nuclei: The model is most successful for describing nuclei with certain numbers of protons and neutrons and breaks down for nuclei with extreme proton-neutron ratios or high excitation energies. Does Not Address Nuclear Reactions: While the nuclear model is useful for describing the structure of stable nuclei, it does not provide a complete picture of nuclear reactions, such as those involved in nuclear decay or fusion. Challenges with Deformed Nuclei: The model has difficulty explaining the shapes of some nuclei, especially those that are deformed. In reality, some nuclei exhibit non-spherical shapes, which the nuclear model struggles to represent accurately. Rutherford’s Atomic Model Diagram The Gold Foil Experiment What it Was Its Conclusion In 1908 Ernest Rutherford performed the gold foil experiment. The gold foil experiment was performed by taking a thin gold sheet and hitting it with alpha particles which are positively charged. Rutherford found that most of the alpha particles when through with only a few bouncing back. This led Rutherford to understand that atoms have a small, heavy region of positive charge inside it. This was the atom's nucleus. Rutherford was able to understand this because most of the alpha particles passed through the gold foil in a linear path with only a couple changing direction and bouncing back. Bibliography - - Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "nuclear model". Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Nov. 2015, https://www.britannica.com/science/nuclear-model. Accessed 22 December 2023. “What Is the Rutherford Gold-Foil Experiment?” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/question/What-is-the-Rutherford-gold-foil-experiment#:~:text=A%20piece%20of%20gold %20foil,paths%20bent%20at%20large%20angles. Accessed 22 Dec. 2023. Ling, Samuel J. “Physics Bootcamp.” Nuclear Model, www.physicsbootcamp.org/sec-Nuclear-Model.html. Accessed 22 Dec. 2023. “Models of the Atom #shorts.” YouTube, 28 Jan. 2022, www.youtube.com/shorts/UjOEZoiG7S4. Accessed 23 Dec. 2023. Do You have any Enquiries reach us on - sivani.g@bloomingdale.edu.in akshita@bloomingdale.edu.in sreyas.s@bloomingdale.edu.in Credits : Slides go
