Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Rutherford's model describes an atom as having a small, dense positively charged nucleus at its center, surrounded by negatively charged electrons orbiting around it at various distances.
Related terms
Bohr's Model: Bohr's model is an improvement over Rutherford's model that suggests electrons occupy specific energy levels or shells around the nucleus.
Nuclear Forces: Nuclear forces are attractive forces that hold protons and neutrons together in the atomic nucleus.
Electron Cloud: The electron cloud refers to the region surrounding an atomic nucleus where electrons are most likely to be found.