1908 - 1911 Exploration and Discovery of the Atomic Nucleus
Based on Thomson's discovery of the
electron, Thomson suggested that atoms were spheres of positively
charged matter with negatively charged electrons embedded in them.
Later one of his students, Ernest Rutherford came up with the idea that atoms should consist of a tiny but massive positive nucleus with electrons circling outside it.
Ernest Rutherford (1871
- 1937)
Rutherford obtained this conclusion
through a series of experiments known as the alpha particle scattering
experiments.
During those years, he worked with his co-workers, Geiger and Marsden in the University of Manchester. Together, they bombarded thin pieces of gold foil with alpha particles.
Most of the alpha particles passed through but a few were deflected at a sharp angle of over 900. Their results revealed the presence of atomic nucleus and led to Rutherford's atomic model.
(C)1999 ThinkQuest Team 27954