Why do scientifics use models to study atoms?

Answer 1

Main reason is that the real atom is already unknown.

There was many models, like for example:

Dalton Model - the atom was a solid ball.

Rutherford - orbital model

There are also other people that developed study and created their atomic models like Thomson, Bhor and Somerfield.

We have today what scientists call the Nowadays Atomic Model, that is the most advanced model, able to best aproximate of a real atom and explain great number of theories.

These models are theories about how is the atom, and a model is overtaken by other, when it is able to explain better the atom behaviour. For example, the model of Rutherford overtaken the model of Dalton.

So, they use models to better approximate of a real atom in order to study it, because a real atom is not already known also because it is very hard to study a real atom, because it is very small.

Answer 2

Scientists create models because when they make the acual project they will have a good idea of what to make it look like and can make scale drawings, so the acual project will be the same as the model only bigger and better.

Answer 3

The modern model explains why most elements react with other elements while a few elements hardly react at all.

Answer 4

I think scientists use models to study atoms because it is impossible (at least with our current technology) to figure out where the electrons are, so it is easier to percieve with a model.

Answer 5

Because atoms are too small to be seen, even with a microscope.