Question

What is the major drawback of Rutherford's model of the atom?

Answer 1

Rutherford's model:

• In Rutherford's alpha scattering experiment, the gold foil is bombarded with alpha particles, and then he studied the trajectory of these particles after their interaction with the gold foil.

Major drawback of Rutherford's model:

• Rutherford failed to explain the atom's stability.
• He suggested that the electrons revolve around the nucleus in circular paths.
• Bur any particle in a circular orbit would undergo acceleration. During acceleration, charge particles would radiate energy.
• Thus, the revolving electrons would lose energy and finally fall into the nucleus. If this were so the atom would be highly unstable.