Question

Two students have been researching the atomic theory in preparation for their chemistry test. Melanie stated that Thomson's discovery revolutionized the understanding of an atom more than Rutherford. Josue disagreed with Melanie, he stated Rutherford's discovery revolutionized the understanding of an atom more than Thomson. Which student do you agree with?

Answer 1

Josue

Step-by-step explanation:

J.J Thompson proposed the plum pudding model of the atom. In his proposition, the atom is a sphere of positive charges into which negative charges were embedded. This model of the atom did not significantly contribute to our present day understanding of atomic structure.

On the other hand Ernest Rutherford laid out the foundation for a more accurate understanding of atomic structure in his nuclear model of the atom. According to Rutherford, the atom consists of a positively charged massive core called the nucleus around which electron move in orbits. His idea was akin to the solar system with the sun at it's core and planets moving around the sun in orbits.

This his idea of the nuclear theory was held as fundamentally correct by Neils Bohr's model of the atom. Hence, his nuclear theory of the atom was a significant milestone in our present day understanding of atomic structure.