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Which model(s) of the atom include a structure that is mostly made of empty space?Quantum mechanicalRutherfordThomsonBohr

User Justus Romijn
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1 Answer

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Step 1 - Briefly remembering atomic models

Thomson: one of the first proposed models for the atom. It pictures the atom as having a massive nucleus positively charged, and the electrons are also in the nucleus, counter balancing the nuclear charge.

Rutherford: already pictures the atom as mostly empty space. Rutherford states that the nucleus is way smaller compared to the atom as a whole. Protons are at the nucleus, while electrons surround the nucleus.

Bohr: it's almost the same as Rutherford, but the electrons are organized in "orbits" around the nucleus.

Quantum mechanical: the most accurate and recent model so far, it describes electrons as occupying orbitals, which are not orbits. The atom here is mostly made of empty space as well.

Step 2 - Answering the exercise

As we can see, all models except Thomson's picture the atom as composed mainly of empty space.

Answer: all except Thomson's

User Kannan T
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