Atomic Structure
Democritus (460 -370 BC) “Father of the Atom” Proposed all matter composed of fundamental particles Named them atoms, from the Greek atomon (indivisible)
Dalton (1808) Developed an atomic theory based on elements Elements combine to form compounds Atoms are unchangeable
Mendeleev (1869) Arranged elements into groups – periodic table Correctly predicted other elements that must exist to fill gaps in the table Table hints at some inner structure of atoms
G.J. Stoney (1874) Proposes electricity composed of discrete particles Eventually names his particle the electron
J.J. Thomson (1897) Confirms the existence of the electron by studying CRT’s Discovers the electron is a subatomic particle
Thomson’s Plum Pudding Model electrons Positive “pudding” http://www.hopkins.k12.mn.us/pages/high/Acad/Sci/Chem/Resources/Notes/atomic_history/thompson.htm
Rutherford (1911) Probed the structure of atoms in a thin gold foil with positive alpha particles http://www.newcastle-schools.org.uk/nsn/chemistry/Radioactivity/Plum%20Pudding%20and%20Rutherford%20Page.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBqHkraf8iE
Rutherford Scattering http://student.acu.edu/~jxa02b/rutherford.html
Rutherford Atom http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutherford_model
Bohr (1922) Developed orbital model of atom that explained the structure of the periodic table http://www.csun.edu/~psk17793/G%20Chemistry/bohr.gif
DeBroglie (1923) Wave-particle duality Electrons form “standing waves” http://www.wonderquest.com/images/2003-04-11-atom.jpg
Schrödinger and Born (1926) Wave mechanics and probability interpretation of quantum mechanics Leads to development of quantum theory of the atom – electrons not in orbitals, only “clouds” of probable location http://www.quantumatomica.co.uk/gallery.htm
Gell-Man and Zweig (1964) Hadrons (including protons and neutrons) composed of quarks Leads to the Standard Model http://www2.slac.stanford.edu/vvc/theory/fundamental.html