Question
On which of the following, Rutherford’s model differs from Bohr’s model?
- the circular shape of the orbit
- concept of nucleus
- empty space in an atom
- stability of an atom
Answer
stability of an atom
Explanation
Rutherford’s model and Bohr’s model differed in their explanation of the stability of an atom. Rutherford’s model did not address the issue of why the electrons did not radiate their energy and spiral into the nucleus, while Bohr’s model proposed that electrons could only occupy certain allowed energy levels, corresponding to specific orbits, which prevented them from radiating their energy and collapsing into the nucleus.
