Rutherford's atomic model — Physics (Class-12th)

                  (Rutherford's atomic model)

Question- Describe Rutherford's atomic model? Give reasons why did it fail?

Answer- According to Rutherford's model which is also known as nuclear model, the entire positive charge and mass (except the mass of electron) of atom are concentrated in the nucleus of radius of the order of 10 inverse 15 meter at its centre, Electrons are distributed about the nucleus in the hollow spherical region of radius (Ten inverse fifteen) meter approximately. Electrons are not stationary they reduce around the nuclear in the different circular orbits. The centripetal force required for this motion of electrons is provided by the electrostatic force acting between the electron and nucleus.

      👉Reason of failure of Rutherford's model👈

(1) Electrons revolving around the nucleus have centripetal acceleration and each accelerated charge rediates energy in the form of electromagnetic waves continuously. Hence, the electromagnetic waves should be continuously rediated by the electrons revolving around the nucleus and Due to this continuous loss of energy, The radii of their orbits should be continuously decreasing and Ultimately the electrons should fall into the nucleus. Hence this model could not explain the stability of a atom.

(2) Due to continuously changing radius of the circular orbits of electrons, The frequency of revolution of the electrons must also be changing. As a result, electrons will radiate electromagnetic waves of all frequency. Hence the spectrum of light rediated by the atom should be continuous in nature while the spectrum obtained from the atom is the line spectrum. Hence this model could not explain the line of spectrum of atom.