Question

rutherford model of atom and its failure

Answer 1

Rutherford model of atom;

1. All the positive charge and nearly all the mass of atom is present inside the nucleus, which is situated at the center of the atom.

2. Electrons revolve around the nucleus in well-defined orbits.

3. The size of the nucleus is very small in comparison to the size of an atom.

Limitations:

• According to classical electromagnetic theory, the electron must radiate energy in the form of electromagnetic waves.In Rutherford atom model, an electron is revolving around the nucleus and is constantly experiencing a centripetal force. Therefore, the electron has an accelerated motion. As the revolving electron loses energy, it must spiral inwards and eventually fall into the nucleus as shown in the following diagram

So in this way the Rutherford model does not explain the stability of atom.

• Further the model des not explain the distribution of electrons around the nucleus in various atomic orbitals

.