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Question
What are the limitations of Rutherford’s model of the atom?
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Solution
(i) An electron orbiting around the nucleus is accelerated towards it. An accelerating charged particle must produce radiation and lose energy. Thus, electrons in an atom must constantly emit radiation and lose energy. Because of this energy loss, the electron will slow down and cannot withstand the nucleus' attraction. As a result, the electron should spiral and eventually fall into the nucleus (see image).
If this occurs, the atom should collapse in approximately 10-8 seconds. However, this does not occur; atoms are stable. This suggests that something is amiss with Rutherford's nuclear model of atoms.
(ii) Rutherford's atomic model says nothing about how electrons are arranged in an atom.
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