Question

What are the achievements of Ernest Rutherford?

Answer 1

In 1911, Rutherford discovered that atoms not independent, they are controlled by something else, a nucleus. He noticed that the majority of an atom's mass is concentrated at a very tiny point in the center where the nucleus was located. The nucleus is a positive force surrounded by electrons which are negative free flying particles. Therefore, he also discovered that there is something smaller than an atom.

During 1911, an idea regarding the existence of the atomic nucleus was put forward by Rutherford. This was his most innovative idea. Two of Rutherford's employees discovered that when alpha particles were shot at an emaciated foil of metal, numerous particles were rebounded. This was explained by Rutherford as the planetary model of an atom, where the whole positive charge of an atom is in the tiny nucleus while the negative charged, electrons occupy the area around the nucleus. This was important because Rutherford proved that the electrons were located on the outside of the nucleus, which meant that they were mobile. Because of this discovery we now know that the electrons orbiting the nucleus are responsible for the reactivity of the atom.