Ideas about the atom date back thousands of years. Experimentation and the use of new technology has altered our model of the atom through the years. Match each atomic model description/picture with the correct scientist.

1. His theory of atoms claimed that electrons move in orbits of specific sizes and energies. Electrons can absorb or release specific amounts of energy to move from one orbit to another.

2. He used the cathode ray tube experiment to discover the negatively charged electrons. His model was called the plum pudding model. He was able to prove that atoms were divisible.

3. He used the gold foil experiments to discover the nucleus and the positively charged protons.

4. He was the first scientist to use experiments to propose his theory about atoms. His theory stated that all matter is made up of small, indivisible particles called atoms. His theory also states that atoms combine in small, whole-number ratios to make new substances.

Choices: John Dalton, J.J. Thomson, Niels Bohr, Ernest Rutherford

Choose the correct answers

1 answer

Here are the correct matches for each atomic model description with the corresponding scientists:

  1. Niels Bohr - His theory of atoms claimed that electrons move in orbits of specific sizes and energies. Electrons can absorb or release specific amounts of energy to move from one orbit to another.

  2. J.J. Thomson - He used the cathode ray tube experiment to discover the negatively charged electrons. His model was called the plum pudding model. He was able to prove that atoms were divisible.

  3. Ernest Rutherford - He used the gold foil experiments to discover the nucleus and the positively charged protons.

  4. John Dalton - He was the first scientist to use experiments to propose his theory about atoms. His theory stated that all matter is made up of small, indivisible particles called atoms. His theory also states that atoms combine in small, whole-number ratios to make new substances.

So, the matches are:

  • 1: Niels Bohr
  • 2: J.J. Thomson
  • 3: Ernest Rutherford
  • 4: John Dalton