What are the limitations of Rutherford’s model of the atom?


According to Rutherford’s model of an atom, the electrons are revolving in a circular orbit around the nucleus. Any such particle that revolves would undergo acceleration and radiate energy. The revolving electron would lose its energy and finally fall into the nucleus, the atom would be highly unstable. But we know that atoms are quite stable.

 [Extra information: Ernest Rutherford described the Atom in his model. According to his experiments, he concluded that an atom has a tiny, massive core called the nucleus. The nucleus has a positive charge. Electrons are particles with a negative charge. Electrons orbit the nucleus. The empty space between the nucleus and the electrons takes up most of the volume of the atom.
The important facts about the nucleus of an atom gathered after Rutherford's alpha-particle scattering experiment is –
  • The scattering of alpha particles was due to the repulsion from a positively charged centre in the gold foil.
  • The heavy central part of the atom was called the nucleus. The nucleus of an atom is positively charged and is extremely hard and dense.
  • The nucleus of an atom is very small as compared to the size of an atom as a whole and is concentrated in the centre of an atom.]

Updated on: 14-Mar-2023

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