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Rutherford shot subatomic alpha peticles (radiation) at gold foil and realized that most of the particles passed through the gold without interacting with it. This led to a revolutionary idea that atoms are mostly empty space and created the model of a nucleus surrounded by, but not connected to, it's electrons.

An analogy I sometimes use is the idea of shooting BB's at a solid wall or at a chain link fence. None will pass through the wall but most will go right through the fence without ever touching it.

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What is the contribution of ernest Rutherford in development of atomic theory?

Ernest Rutherford is known for his famous gold foil experiment, which led to the discovery of the atomic nucleus and the proposal of the nuclear model of the atom. His work helped to refine the understanding of the structure of the atom and laid the foundation for the development of modern atomic theory.


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Ernest Rutherford was the man you are thinking of. He was the first person to 'split the atom'.


Who invented Rutherford's nuclear atom?

Ernest Rutherford is credited with the development of the "Rutherford Model" of the atom, which proposed that the atom consisted of a small, dense nucleus containing positively charged protons orbited by negatively charged electrons. This model was developed in 1911 based on experiments conducted in his laboratory.


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The concept of most of an atom's mass being concentrated in a small nucleus surrounded by the electrons is attributed to Ernest Rutherford through his gold foil experiment. Rutherford's experiment led to the development of the nuclear model of the atom.


Who showed that the atom had a nucleus?

This was an idea of Ernest Rutherford (1871-1937) from 1911.


Who discovered the nuclear atom?

The nuclear atom was discovered by Ernest Rutherford. He did it with a gold foil experiment.


Who provided evidence for the existence of a nucleus in an atom?

Ernest Rutherford


Who theorized that a atom was indivisible?

Ernest Rutherford


What was Ernest Rutherford famous?

He discovered the atom


Who discovered there was a nucleus in an atom?

Ernest Rutherford


What was Ernest Rutherford's biggest contribution to chemistry?

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Where did Ernest Rutherford discover the structure of the atom?

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