Describe Rutherford’s model of the atom. - Leaving Cert Physics - Question (i) - 2014

Rutherford's model of the atom proposes that an atom consists of a dense core, known as the nucleus, which contains positively charged protons and potentially neutrons. This nucleus is surrounded by a cloud of electrons that occupy a much larger volume of space, signifying that atoms are mostly empty space.

The nucleus is very small compared to the overall size of the atom, accounting for nearly all of its mass. The electrons orbit this nucleus at various distances, similar to how planets orbit the sun, but the vast majority of the atom's volume remains empty. This model emphasizes the concept of a central core with electrons dispersed in a cloud around it, illustrating the structure and behavior of atoms as we understand today.