Rutherford's key contribution to the atomic theory of matter was B: Atoms contain a central nucleus. His gold foil experiment famously demonstrated that atoms have a dense, positively charged nucleus at their center, leading to the understanding of atomic structure as we know it today.
Scientists, including Ernest Rutherford, started testing atomic structure theory in the early 1800’s. What was Rutherford’s key contribution to the atomic theory of matter?
A
Elements can form compounds.
B
Atoms contain a central nucleus.
C
Electrons are negatively charged particles.
D
Matter cannot be divided infinitely and retain its properties.
1 answer