The Discovery of the Atom: Key Milestones in Atomic Theory

Explore how scientists discovered the atom through crucial experiments and theories from Dalton to Rutherford.

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Scientists discovered the atom through a series of experiments and theories. Key milestones include John Dalton's atomic theory in the early 19th century, which proposed that matter is composed of small indivisible particles called atoms. Later, J.J. Thomson discovered the electron in 1897, suggesting atoms have smaller parts. Ernest Rutherford's gold foil experiment in 1911 further refined this by showing atoms have a dense nucleus. This collective evidence confirmed the existence of atoms.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What is the atomic theory? The atomic theory, proposed by John Dalton in the early 19th century, states that matter is composed of small indivisible particles called atoms.
  2. Who discovered the electron? The electron was discovered by J.J. Thomson in 1897 during his experiments with cathode rays.
  3. What was Rutherford's gold foil experiment? Rutherford's gold foil experiment, conducted in 1911, demonstrated that atoms have a dense nucleus at their center, which is surrounded by electrons.
  4. How do scientists confirm the existence of atoms? Scientists confirmed the existence of atoms through various experiments and theories, including Dalton's atomic theory, Thomson's discovery of the electron, and Rutherford's gold foil experiment.

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