Write two important limitations of the Rutherford nuclear model of the atom.
Answer: Cannot explain
(i) atomic stability,
(ii) discrete line spectra.
Solution
(i) Stability: according to electromagnetic theory an accelerating (orbiting) electron must continuously radiate energy, spiral inward and fall into the nucleus — so the model cannot explain the stability of atoms.
(ii) Spectra: as the electron spirals in, its frequency of revolution would change continuously, so it should emit a continuous spectrum, whereas atoms actually emit sharp, discrete line spectra.
(ii) Spectra: as the electron spirals in, its frequency of revolution would change continuously, so it should emit a continuous spectrum, whereas atoms actually emit sharp, discrete line spectra.
CBSE Class 12 Board · 2017 · Delhi · Subjective