How was Thomson's model of the atom different from Dalton's model?

• A. Thomson's model included the concept of atomic orbitals, whereas Dalton's model did not.
• B. Thomson proposed that atoms contain negatively charged electrons embedded in a positive sphere, while Dalton described atoms as indivisible solid spheres.
• C. Thomson described atoms as being made of energy, while Dalton described them as being made of matter.
• D. Thomson suggested that atoms are mostly empty space with a dense nucleus, while Dalton believed atoms were made of protons and neutrons.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand Dalton's atomic model. Dalton proposed that atoms are indivisible, solid spheres that make up matter. He did not include any internal structure or subatomic particles in his model.
2. Step 2: Understand Thomson's atomic model. Thomson proposed the 'plum pudding' model, where the atom is a positively charged sphere with negatively charged electrons embedded within it, like 'plums' in a 'pudding'.
3. Step 3: Compare the two models. Dalton's model treats the atom as a solid, indivisible particle, while Thomson's model introduces internal structure by including electrons and a positive charge spread throughout the atom.
4. Step 4: Identify the key difference. The main difference is that Thomson's model includes subatomic particles (electrons) embedded in a positive sphere, whereas Dalton's model does not recognize any internal structure or particles within the atom.
5. Step 5: Note what Thomson's model did not include. Thomson's model did not include atomic orbitals or a nucleus; those concepts came later with other models.