What are some key experiments that shaped atomic theory?

What are some key experiments that shaped atomic theory?

Some key experiments include Rutherford's gold foil experiment, Thomson's cathode ray experiment, and Millikan's oil drop experiment.

Can you explain Rutherford's gold foil experiment?

Sure! Rutherford's gold foil experiment demonstrated that atoms have a small, dense nucleus. He fired alpha particles at a thin gold foil and observed that some particles were deflected, indicating the presence of a nucleus.

What did Thomson's cathode ray experiment discover?

Thomson's cathode ray experiment discovered the electron. He showed that cathode rays were composed of negatively charged particles, which he called 'corpuscles'.

How did Millikan measure the charge of the electron?

Millikan measured the charge of the electron using his oil drop experiment, where he balanced the gravitational and electric forces on tiny oil droplets to determine the charge.

What impact did these experiments have on modern physics?

These experiments laid the foundation for modern atomic theory, leading to the development of quantum mechanics and our understanding of atomic structure.