Evolution of the Model of the Atom

By jlwheeler
  • 400 BCE

    Democritus' Contribution

    Democritus' Contribution
    hypothesized that atoms cannot be destroyed, differ in size, shape and temperature, are always moving, and are invisible. He believed that there are an infinite number of atoms

  • John Dalton's Atomic Model

    John Dalton's Atomic Model
    Theorized that matter consisted of indivisible atoms and that atoms arranged in different ways to create different compounds

  • Plum Pudding Model - JJ Thompson

    Plum Pudding Model - JJ Thompson
    Confirmed that atoms are NOT divisible. thought that electrons lived in a positive field in the atom

  • Rutherford Model

    Rutherford Model
    Theorized that atoms are mostly empty space. Found that electrons orbit around a positively charged nucleus

  • Neils' Bohr Model

    Neils' Bohr Model
    Edited Rutherford's model to explain color change of compounds

  • Erwin Schrödinger's Model

    Erwin Schrödinger's Model
    Updated Neils Bohr's model because his only worked for the hydrogen atom