What are the similarities between the Rutherford and Bohr atomic models of the atom? How did Bohr improve on the Rutherford model?
1 Answer
There are a lot of similarities between the two models.
Explanation:
Rutherford said that electrons revolve around the nucleus in rings.
(from science.howstuffworks.com)
Bohr also said it but in a slightly modified way.
He said that the orbits could have only certain fixed sizes depending on their allowed energies.
In an address to the Physical Society of Copenhagen, Bohr stated,
"It can be seen that it is impossible to employ Rutherford's atomic model so long as we confine ourselves exclusively to ordinary electrodynamics".
Bohr introduced the concept of electron shells.
Bohr did not prove that Rutherford was wrong. Rather, he improved and extended the Rutherford model.
There were two drawbacks to the Rutherford model.
- It does not explain the hydrogen spectrum.
- It does not obey Maxwell's equations, which predict that an orbiting electron should fall into the nucleus.
Bohr's model is a defined, expanded model of Rutherford's atom that overcomes these two drawbacks.
The basics are the same, i.e., electrons revolve around the nucleus in paths called orbits with the nucleus at the centre.
Bohr expanded on Rutherford's model in detail.
