Final answer:
Scientific methods and experiments, including the gold foil experiment and the development of the planetary model by Niels Bohr, were used to determine the model of the atom. The model is considered a theory because it has experimental support and provides a framework for understanding atomic behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
The model of the atom was determined using scientific methods and experiments. One key experiment was the gold foil experiment conducted by Ernest Rutherford, which showed that atoms have a small, dense nucleus at the center surrounded by electrons. This led to the development of the planetary model of the atom by Niels Bohr, which explained the atomic spectrum of hydrogen and introduced the concept of quantized energy levels for electrons. The model is considered a theory because it has been supported by a significant amount of experimental evidence and has provided a framework for understanding the behavior of atoms.
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