Rutherford's model of the atom

Rutherford's model of the atom describes it as composed of a small, dense nucleus containing positively charged protons and neutral neutrons, at the center. Surrounding this nucleus is a "cloud" of negatively charged electrons orbiting at a distance. This model was developed after Rutherford's gold foil experiment, which showed that most alpha particles passed through a thin gold sheet, but some were deflected, indicating a tiny, dense core. It marked a shift from earlier models by highlighting the nucleus's role and explaining atomic structure more accurately, forming the foundation for modern atomic physics.