Rutherford model
(also Rutherford's model) now chiefly historical
noun
A model of the atomic nucleus in which negatively charged electrons orbit an extremely dense, positively charged nucleus.
- This model of the atom, devised by Rutherford, succeeded the plum pudding model proposed by J. J. Thomson, in which the negatively charged electrons were distributed throughout a positively charged medium; Thomson's model was unable to explain Rutherford scattering. Neils Bohr later modified Rutherford's model, incorporating quantum mechanics: compare Bohr model..
Origin
Early 20th century; earliest use found in Scientific Abstracts.