The discovery of electrons and protons inside the atom led to the failure of Dalton’s idea of atomic indivisibility.
Tiwari Academy Discussion Latest Questions
Dalton’s idea was challenged by the discovery of electrons and protons inside the atom.
If electrons in atoms were to continuously lose energy and spiral into the nucleus, atoms would be highly unstable and matter as we know it wouldn’t exist.
The emitted energy causes the electron’s orbit to decay gradually, eventually resulting in the electron falling into the nucleus.
The circular motion of an electron would require constant acceleration, leading to the emission of energy in the form of radiation.
Scientists aimed to answer the question of atomic structure through further experimentation, observation, and the development of theoretical models.
The significant question was what kind of structure the particles of the atom formed.
Protons were believed to be located in the interior of the atom because electrons could be easily removed from atoms, but protons could not.
Initially, it was understood that atoms were composed of protons and electrons, with their charges balancing each other out.
The mass of an electron is considered negligible compared to other sub-atomic particles such as protons.