The Atom

4 Pages 914 Words

The History Behind The Atom


Throughout the discovery of the atom, many scientists worked to formulate how the atom works. Which began in the early 1800’s with John Dalton, to our current model of the electron cloud developed by Schrodinger.

During this long process of the discovery the atom, took many models and scientists. The entire group of scientists who assisted in the discovery of the atom used each other’s model to improve each other’s theories. Firstly, John Dalton showed that, collectively, the three laws, the law of definite proportion, the law of conversation of masses, and the law of multiple proportion.

These three laws demonstrate the existence of the atom. Also, Using these three laws he developed a theory called, Dalton’s Atomic Theory. This includes five basic principles; 1) all matter is made of indivisible and indestructible atoms, 2) atoms of a given element are identical in their physical and chemical properties, 3) atoms of different elements have different physical and chemical properties, 4) atoms of different elements combine in simple whole-number ratios to form chemical compounds, 5) atoms cannot be subdivided, created or destroyed when they are combined, separated, or rearranged in chemical reactions.

However, after scientists look more carefully at his points they found some weaknesses. One weakness was that the atom was found to be indivisible, and they had smaller particles. After Dalton came up with the five points, J.J. Thompson came along. He discovered that charged and magnets deflected the straight paths of cathode rays. In addition, he discovered negative and positive charged particles. He stated that the atom was made of smaller particles called, electrons and protons.

In the discovery of the electron he used the Cathode-ray tube. As he researched he came up with a model of the atom, he stated that the atom was a “plum pudding model.” This model featured negati...