How was Bohr's atomic model different from Rutherford's atomic model?

• A. Bohr proposed that electrons move in fixed, quantized orbits around the nucleus, whereas Rutherford's model did not specify electron orbits.
• B. Bohr's model included neutrons in the nucleus, while Rutherford's model did not.
• C. Bohr's model described electrons as waves, while Rutherford's model described them as particles.
• D. Bohr suggested that the nucleus was made up of protons and electrons, while Rutherford said it was only protons.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand Rutherford's atomic model - Rutherford proposed that the atom has a small, dense, positively charged nucleus with electrons moving around it, but he did not specify the exact paths or energy levels of the electrons.
2. Step 2: Understand Bohr's atomic model - Bohr introduced the idea that electrons move in specific, fixed orbits or energy levels around the nucleus, and these orbits are quantized, meaning electrons can only exist in certain allowed energy states.
3. Step 3: Compare the two models - The key difference is that Bohr's model explains the stability of atoms and the emission spectra by quantizing electron orbits, while Rutherford's model lacks this quantization and does not explain why electrons do not spiral into the nucleus.
4. Step 4: Clarify misconceptions - Bohr's model did not include neutrons (which were discovered later), and it did not describe electrons as waves (that came with quantum mechanics). Also, the nucleus contains protons (and neutrons), not electrons.
5. Step 5: Summarize the main difference - Bohr's model is distinct because it introduced fixed, quantized electron orbits, whereas Rutherford's model only described a nucleus with electrons around it without specifying their behavior or energy levels.