Which scientist is credited with the discovery of the atomic nucleus?

• A. John Dalton
• B. J.J. Thomson
• C. Ernest Rutherford
• D. Niels Bohr

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the historical context of atomic structure discoveries to identify the scientist associated with the atomic nucleus.
2. Recall that John Dalton proposed the atomic theory describing atoms as indivisible particles but did not discover the nucleus.
3. Remember that J.J. Thomson discovered the electron and proposed the 'plum pudding' model, which did not include a nucleus.
4. Recognize that Ernest Rutherford conducted the gold foil experiment, which led to the discovery of the atomic nucleus as a small, dense, positively charged center of the atom.
5. Note that Niels Bohr developed the Bohr model of the atom, which describes electron orbits around the nucleus but did not discover the nucleus itself.