Atomic Model Comparison
Thomson's Plum Pudding Model vs Rutherford's Nuclear Model
Atomic Model Visualization
Model Information
Thomson's Plum Pudding Model (1904)
Atoms consist of electrons suspended in a positively charged "pudding" with nearly continuous mass distribution.
Electrons are in stable equilibrium in the ground state.
Atomic size is the same as in Rutherford's model.
Rutherford's Nuclear Model (1911)
Atoms have a tiny, dense nucleus containing positive charge, with electrons orbiting around it.
Electrons always experience a net force and classical atoms would collapse.
Features highly non-uniform mass distribution.
Key Comparison Facts:
- The size of atoms in Thomson's model are no different from the atomic size in Rutherford's model.
- In Thomson's model, electrons are in stable equilibrium, while in Rutherford's model electrons always experience a net force.
- A classical atom based on Rutherford's model is doomed to collapse.
- Thomson's model has continuous mass distribution, while Rutherford's has non-uniform distribution.
