Final answer:
John Dalton introduced the idea that elements consist of indivisible atoms, J.J. Thomson discovered the electron and proposed the "plum pudding" model, and Ernest Rutherford discovered the atomic nucleus, leading to the nuclear model of the atom.
Step-by-step explanation:
The contributions of three eminent scientists form the cornerstone of our understanding of the atomic theory. John Dalton, in 1803, revolutionized the scientific world with his proposal that elements are composed of indivisible particles, known as atoms. This theory postulated that each element has a characteristic type of atom that differs in properties from atoms of all other elements.
In 1897, J.J. Thomson discovered the electron and introduced the world to the "plum pudding" model of the atom, suggesting that atoms contained tiny negatively charged particles.
Ernest Rutherford's contribution came in 1909, as his iconic gold foil experiment led to the discovery of the atomic nucleus. This pivotal moment in science resulted in the nuclear model of the atom, where the positive charge is concentrated at the center.