In comparing Thomson's and Rutherford's atomic models, which statement is true?

Study for the Atomic Theory Chemistry Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Prepare thoroughly for your exam!

Rutherford's atomic model is characterized by the presence of a dense, positively charged nucleus at its center, which is surrounded by electrons that orbit the nucleus much like planets orbit the sun. This model came about as a result of his gold foil experiment, which demonstrated that most of an atom's mass and positive charge is concentrated in a small, central nucleus, and that electrons reside in a surrounding space.

The choice that accurately describes this model is the one stating that Rutherford's model depicts a positive nucleus with electrons orbiting around it. This distinguishes it from Thomson's model, which proposed a "plum pudding" structure where positive charge is uniformly distributed throughout a spherical cloud, with electrons embedded within it, rather than orbiting in distinct paths.

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