Structure of an atom ch#4 pg# 48 secondary Science class 7 explanation with Test yourself

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Atoms are tiny particles made up of a dense nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons. Rutherford's experiment involving gold foil led to the discovery of the nucleus and disproved Thomson's Plum Pudding Model.

Insights

  • Atoms are composed of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons, maintaining electrical neutrality.
  • Rutherford's experiment debunked Thomson's Plum Pudding Model by revealing the existence of a dense nucleus within atoms through the gold foil experiment, altering the understanding of atomic structure.

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Recent questions

  • What is the structure of an atom?

    An atom consists of a dense nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons.

  • How did Rutherford disprove Thomson's model?

    Rutherford discovered a dense nucleus in the atom.

  • What did Rutherford's experiment reveal about atoms?

    Atoms have a central positively charged nucleus.

  • How small are atoms in size?

    Atoms are incredibly small, measuring about 1 cm across.

  • What is the relationship between protons and electrons in an atom?

    The number of electrons in an atom is always equal to the number of protons.

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Summary

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Atom Structure: Nucleus, Electrons, and Discoveries

  • Atoms are incredibly small, with 100 million of them side by side measuring only about 1 cm across, making them difficult to visualize without a microscope.
  • An atom consists of a dense nucleus containing positively charged protons and electrically neutral neutrons, surrounded by a cloud of negatively charged electrons.
  • The number of electrons in an atom is always equal to the number of protons, ensuring overall electrical neutrality.
  • Thomson's Plum Pudding Model of the atom, with electrons embedded in a positive matter, was later disproved by Rutherford's discovery of a dense nucleus at the atom's center.
  • Rutherford's experiment involved firing positively charged particles at a thin gold foil, leading to the discovery of the nucleus and disproving Thomson's model.
  • The experiment showed that atoms have a nucleus that causes particles to bounce back, indicating the presence of a central positively charged center within the atom.
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