Rutherford model of the atom

The Rutherford model of the atom suggests that an atom's positive charge is concentrated in a tiny, dense nucleus at its center, containing protons (and later, neutrons). Surrounding this nucleus are electrons orbiting at a distance, much like planets around the sun. This model arose from Rutherford's gold foil experiment, showing that most alpha particles passed straight through, indicating a mostly empty space with a small, dense nucleus. It improved understanding of atomic structure by highlighting the nucleus's role and laid groundwork for future models of atomic behavior.