70th B.P.S.C. Pre-2024

Who was the first one to propose a model for the structure of an atom ?

aE. Goldstein
bRutherford
cNiels Bohr
dJ.J. Thomson✓ Correct

Explanation

The first person to propose a model for the structure of the atom was J. J. Thomson. In 1898, he proposed the plum pudding model. This model has been given different names, for example—plum pudding model, raisin pudding model, or watermelon model. In this model, the positive charge of the atom is considered like a pudding or a watermelon, in which electrons are present like plums or seeds. An important feature of this model is that the mass of the atom is assumed to be uniformly distributed throughout the atom. Although this model explained the electrical neutrality of the atom, it was not found consistent with the results of later experiments.

general-science