Atomic Structure is one of 9 topics in the Grade 10 Physical Sciences CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. Which scientist proposed the "plum pudding" model of the atom?
J.J. Thomson
Ernest Rutherford
Niels Bohr
John Dalton
Answer: J.J. Thomson — J.J. Thomson proposed the plum pudding model in 1904, describing the atom as a sphere of positive charge with electrons scattered through it.
Easy
2. Rutherford's gold foil experiment led him to conclude that the atom:
Is mostly empty space with a small, dense, positively charged nucleus
Has no nucleus at all
Is a solid sphere of positive charge
Consists only of electrons, with no positive charge anywhere
Answer: Is mostly empty space with a small, dense, positively charged nucleus — The unexpected deflection and back-scattering of alpha particles showed that atoms are mostly empty space, with a small, dense, positively charged nucleus at the centre.
Medium
3. Name the scientist who proposed that electrons orbit the nucleus in specific, fixed energy levels rather than at any arbitrary distance.
Answer: Niels Bohr — Niels Bohr proposed the 1913 model with electrons in fixed energy levels, each with a specific amount of energy.
