Final answer:
The history of the atom has evolved from ancient philosophers proposing the idea of indivisible particles called atoms to the development of the modern model of the atom. Key contributions include Dalton's atomic theory, the discovery of electrons by J.J. Thomson, and the nuclear model proposed by Ernest Rutherford. The evolution of the atom has provided new insights into the nature of matter and led to advancements in scientific knowledge.
Step-by-step explanation:
The history of the atom has evolved over time through the contributions of various scientists. The idea of the atom can be traced back to ancient philosophers like Democritus and Leucippus, who proposed that matter is made up of indivisible particles called atoms. In the early 19th century, John Dalton developed Dalton's atomic theory, which stated that atoms are indivisible and combine in simple, whole number ratios to form compounds.
However, as scientific knowledge advanced, new discoveries led to the evolution of the atomic theory. In the late 19th century, J.J. Thomson discovered the existence of negatively charged particles called electrons within atoms, leading to the development of the plum pudding model. Then, in the early 20th century, Ernest Rutherford conducted the gold foil experiment and proposed the nuclear model of the atom, which stated that atoms have a small, dense, positively charged nucleus surrounded by a cloud of electrons.
Further advancements in quantum theory by scientists like Max Planck, Albert Einstein, and Niels Bohr led to the development of the modern model of the atom. This model incorporates the concept of energy levels and the wave-particle duality of electrons.