Choose the correct option from the following options given below:

Asked in JEE Main 24th June 1st Shift 2022 · Rutherford's model and its limits

(1) In the ground state of Rutherford's model electrons are in stable equilibrium. While in Thomson's model electrons always experience a net force.
(2) An atom has a nearly continuous mass distribution in a Rutherford's model but has a highly non-uniform mass distribution in Thomson's model.
(3) A classical atom based on Rutherford's model is doomed to collapse.
(4) The positively charged part of the atom possesses most of the mass in Rutherford's model but not in Thomson's model.

Answer: (3) A classical atom based on Rutherford's model is doomed to collapse.

Step-by-step solution

An orbiting electron accelerates, so classical theory says it radiates, loses energy and spirals into the nucleus.

So a classical Rutherford atom is unstable (doomed to collapse).

The other options swap the features of the Thomson and Rutherford models.

(1) Reverses the models: Thomson's electrons can sit in equilibrium, Rutherford's orbiting electrons always feel a net centripetal force.
(2) Reverses the models: Thomson's mass is spread out, Rutherford's is concentrated in the nucleus.
(4) In both models the positive part carries almost all the mass.

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