How Do You Describe An Atomic Nucleus?
To describe an atomic nucleus, you need to grasp some of the basic concepts about the structure of life, and the way matter is put together. You may be surprised to know how much open space there is an atom. The atomic nucleus and electrons in atoms are very far apart from one another–wide open spaces. But the protons, neutrons and electrons are so microscopic that matter looks solid and like a tight fit. Begin your description of the atomic nucleus with the structure of the atom and the scientist Ernest Rutherford’s experiments in 1909. Take a look at Rutherford’s gold foil experiment and the questions that experiment brought out. In the late 1800s scientists knew matter was composed of atoms. Around the same time English physicist J. J. Thomson discovered the electron. Look again at Rutherford’s gold foil experiment. You can find more detailed descriptions of this experiment in chemistry textbooks and online, but the brief mention here is enough information for us to describe an ato
