Final answer:
The history of atomic structure development started with John Dalton's model, progressed through Thomson, Rutherford, and Bohr's models, and finally reached the quantum mechanical model we use today.
Step-by-step explanation:
Timeline of Atomic Structure Development
The development of the atomic structure is a remarkable aspect of chemistry and physics. The timeline begins in the early 19th century with John Dalton's solid sphere model where the atom was considered indivisible. This concept evolved through J.J. Thomson's discovery of the electron leading to his plum pudding model, where electrons were thought to be embedded in a positive sphere.
Later, Ernest Rutherford's gold foil experiment in 1911 provided evidence for a nuclear structure within the atom, giving rise to the Rutherford model. This model suggested that atoms consist of a dense positively charged nucleus surrounded by electrons. Then, Niels Bohr further refined atomic theory by proposing that electrons orbit the nucleus at set distances, resulting in the Bohr model in 1913.
The quantum mechanical model, which is the current understanding of atomic structure, was developed throughout the 20th century, incorporating the principles of quantum mechanics to describe the probabilities of finding electrons in certain regions around the nucleus.
Key timeline:
Dalton's model (1803) - Indivisible atom
Thomson's model (1897) - Plum pudding
Rutherford's model (1911) - Nucleus with electrons
Bohr's model (1913) - Electrons in orbits
Quantum mechanical model (1920s-30s) - Electron probability clouds