Evolution of the Model of the Atom

By jlwheeler
  • Democritus' Contribution
    400 BCE

    Democritus' Contribution

    hypothesized that atoms cannot be destroyed, differ in size, shape and temperature, are always moving, and are invisible. He believed that there are an infinite number of atoms
  • John Dalton's Atomic Model

    John Dalton's Atomic Model

    Theorized that matter consisted of indivisible atoms and that atoms arranged in different ways to create different compounds
  • Plum Pudding Model - JJ Thompson

    Plum Pudding Model - JJ Thompson

    Confirmed that atoms are NOT divisible. thought that electrons lived in a positive field in the atom
  • Rutherford Model

    Rutherford Model

    Theorized that atoms are mostly empty space. Found that electrons orbit around a positively charged nucleus
  • Neils' Bohr Model

    Neils' Bohr Model

    Edited Rutherford's model to explain color change of compounds
  • Erwin Schrödinger's Model

    Erwin Schrödinger's Model

    Updated Neils Bohr's model because his only worked for the hydrogen atom