Nuclear Physics: Atomic Structure

Atomic StructureNegatively charged electrons orbiting a positively charged nucleus 

Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment This experiment changed the idea that the atom was made up of a random mixture of electrons and positively charged particles The conclusion was that there was a dense positive core at the centre of the atom (the nucleus) with the electrons orbiting the nucleus

Bohr Model The nucleus was composed of protons and neutrons packed tightly together Electrons spin around it in fixed orbits The rings increase in radius which corresponds with an increase in energy level When the atoms gain energy, electrons jump from a lower energy state to the next energy level (excited state). When the electrons return to their original level they emit a photon This causes emission line spectra, and each element has a unique line spectrum due to its different electron configuration Line spectra can be demonstrated using a spectrometer

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