Week 6 - Atomic Physics

Question 1

What are the different atomic models?

(3)

Answer 1

Thomson model
Rutherford model
Bohr Atom Model

Question 2

(5)

Recall the history of the atomic model in order:

Answer 2

Greek model –> Thompson’s model (PP) –> Rutherford’s model –> Bohr’s model –> Charge-cloud model (current)

Question 3

Model named after a fruit

Define Thompson’s atomic model; who disproved this model and how?

Answer 3

The Plum pudding model - volume (atom) that contains a positive charge, with electrons embedded throughout.

Question 4

Define the photoelectric effect

Answer 4

When an incident light hits certain metallic surfraces, photoelectrons are emitted. Energy transferred from the incident electrons to the electrons in the metal is absorbed ( when this energy is > than the binding energy of the electrons in the metal) and free them, being emitted as photoelectrons.