Post #2189147
2026-04-15 19:38 UTC
@Adorable_Sergal@hachyderm.io My take from it is in reference to the historical model: atoms were known to be made of electrons and some sort of balancing positive charge. One model at the time was the "plum pudding" with an amorphous positive atom containing negative electron "plums". In this case, matter *would* be pretty much solid, atoms in a solid like oranges in a crate.
Rutherford's scattering experiments changed all of that *very* dramatically though. We may have overlooked how shocking it was.
Replies (1)
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@_thegeoff@mastodon.social 2026-04-15 19:44
@Adorable_Sergal@hachyderm.io We're talking about the nucleus being the size of a small seed, and the electron shell extending out by tens or hundreds of metres. Reconciling that with our everyday experience of matter requires quite a jump in our thinking about how atomic level forces work, if you don't want to wave your hand through a wall like its smoke going through mist. That, historically, is the astounding change in thinking the idea triggered, I think. We just got used to it.