Question

write the merits and demerits of Thomson atomic model

Answer 1

When J.J Thomson proposed his model of atom in 1903, then only electrons and protons were known to be present in the atom.
According to Thomson's model of atom:
1. An atom consists of a sphere of positive charge with negatively charged electrons embedded in it.
2. The positive and negative charge in an atom are equal in magnitude, due to which an atom is electrically neutral.
Thomson's model of atom is similar to that of Christmas pudding.
The electrons are embedded in a sphere of positive charge like dry fruits in a Christmas pudding .
We can also compare Thomson's model to water melon.
The red edible part of watermelon is postive charge and electron are embedded like black seeds in watermelon.
Drawback of Thomson's atomic model:
1.This model could not explain how the positive charged particles ate shielded from negatively charged particles without getting g neutralised.
2. Some of the experiments carried out by Rutherford, a student of Thomson , gave results which were not in favour of Thomson's model.

Answer 2

Merits of Thomson Model of an Atom :

1. According to J.J. Thomson , the structure of an atom can be compared to christmas pudding where electrons are present inside a +ve sphere

2. An atom is composed of a positively charged sphere in which elctrons are embedded

3. Atom is neutral as the positive and negative charged are equal in proportion

Demerits of Thomson Model of an Atom :

1. It failed to explain the stability of an atom

2. Failed to explain how positively charged particles holds on electrons inside an atom

3. Did not mention anything about the nucleus of an atom

4. Unable to explain Rutherford's scattering experiment