Development of the Atomic Theory

This set of practice flashcards includes key vocabulary related to the development of atomic theory and the structure of the atom, based on the lecture notes.

Atomic Theory

A scientific theory that describes the nature of matter, stating that matter is composed of atoms.

Atomism

The belief that matter is made up of indivisible particles called atoms, first proposed by Democritus.

John Dalton

An English scientist who proposed the first precise description of the atom known as Dalton's Atomic Theory.

Solid Sphere Model

Dalton's model of the atom which describes atoms as small, indivisible spheres.

Subatomic Particles

Particles within an atom, such as protons, neutrons, and electrons.

JJ Thomson

An English physicist who discovered the electron and proposed the plum pudding model of the atom.

Plum Pudding Model

Thomson's model depicting the atom as a uniform positively charged sphere with electrons embedded in it.

Nuclear Model

Rutherford’s model of the atom that describes a dense nucleus containing protons and neutrons, with electrons orbiting around it.

Gold Foil Experiment

An experiment conducted by Rutherford that demonstrated the existence of the nucleus.

Nucleus

The dense central core of an atom that contains protons and neutrons.

Electron

A negatively charged subatomic particle discovered by JJ Thomson.

Matter

Anything that has mass and takes up space, composed of atoms.