Question

A classical atom based on is doomed to collapse.

• A. Thomson’s model
• B. Bohr's model
• C. Rutherford’s model

Answer 1

The correct option is C Rutherford’s model

Electrons orbit the nucleus in a circular fashion. If this was in fact, then as electrons accelerate around the nucleus, the acceleration would cause the electron to radiate energy in the form of electromagnetic waves, which would imply that the electron would continually lose energy as per the conservation of energy law. Therefore, as the electron orbits, it continually loses kinetic energy and its velocity would decrease, causing it to spiral and eventually smash into the nucleus. This would imply that atoms are naturally unstable. Since atoms are generally stable, this means that the model does not correctly describe the structure of the atom.