1. Atomic Structure Timeline
Use the following information to complete the lecture handout.
On your Atomic Structure Timeline quiz, you will be expected to…
draw the atomic models
match scientists to their experiments and discoveries
place the models in chronological order

2. Democritus (400 B.C.)
Proposed that matter was composed of tiny indivisible particles called atoms
Not based on experimental data
Greek: atomos

3. Alchemy (next 2000 years) Mixture of science and mysticism.
Lab procedures were developed, but alchemists did not perform controlled experiments like true scientists.

4. John Dalton (1807) British Schoolteacher Billiard Ball Model
based his theory on others’ experimental data
Scientists used the way elements form compounds
Billiard Ball Model
atom is a uniform, solid sphere

5. John Dalton Dalton’s Four Postulates
1. Elements are composed of small indivisible particles called atoms.
2. Atoms of the same element are identical. Atoms of different elements are different.
3. Atoms of different elements combine together in simple proportions to create a compound.
4. In a chemical reaction, atoms are rearranged, but not changed.

6. J. J. Thomson (1904) Cathode Ray Tube Experiments Discovered Electrons
beam of negative particles
Discovered Electrons
negative particles within the atom
Plum-pudding Model

7. J. J. Thomson (1903) Plum-pudding Model Using the cathode ray
tube experiment, he
used a beam to discover
negative particles: electrons.
Plum-pudding Model
positive sphere (pudding) with negative electrons (plums) dispersed throughout

8. Ernest Rutherford (1911) Gold Foil Experiment Discovered the nucleus
dense, positive charge in the center of the atom
Contained two parts: the nucleus in the center which is surrounded by electrons on the outside.
Nuclear Model

9. Ernest Rutherford (1911) Nuclear Model
dense, positive nucleus surrounded by negative electrons

10. Niels Bohr (1913) Bright-Line Spectrum Energy Levels Planetary Model
tried to explain presence of specific colors in hydrogen’s spectrum
Energy Levels
electrons can only exist in specific energy states
Planetary Model

11. Niels Bohr (1913) Bright-line spectrum Planetary Model
electrons move in circular orbits within specific energy levels

12. Erwin Schrödinger (1926) Quantum mechanics Electron cloud model
electrons can only exist in specified energy states
Electron cloud model
orbital: region around the nucleus where e- are likely to be found

13. Electron Cloud Model (orbital)
Erwin Schrödinger (1926)
Electron Cloud Model (orbital)
dots represent probability of finding an e- not actual electrons

14. James Chadwick (1932) Discovered neutrons Joliot-Curie Experiments
neutral particles in the nucleus of an atom
Joliot-Curie Experiments
based his theory on Chadwick’s experimental evidence

15. revision of Rutherford’s Nuclear Model
James Chadwick (1932)
Neutron Model
revision of Rutherford’s Nuclear Model