Question
Who discovered the nucleus? Werner Heisenberg Jon Snow Ernest Rutherford Jeremy Corbyn
Answer
3.1
(256 Votes)
Hazel
Professional · Tutor for 6 years
Answer
Ernest Rutherford
Explanation
The discovery of the atomic nucleus is largely credited to Ernest Rutherford. In 1911, through his famous gold foil experiment, he first conceptualized the existence of a dense, positively charged nucleus at the center of an atom. Expecting α-particles to travel straight through gold foil, he observed this quite unexpected phenomenon: a few α-particles bounced directly backwards. Through logical deduction, Rutherford proceeded to explain this surprising observation by putting forth the nuclear model of the atom. This model involves a dense, positive center or nucleus composed of protons (and later concluded, neutrons as well) and surrounded by peripheral, light-weight, negatively charged electrons. Therefore, despite the array of esteemed individuals presented in the question, only one of them contributed to the 20th-century revolutionary science breakthrough - the atomic nucleus.