The results of Rutherford's gold foil experiment disproved the model of the atom that his mentor and colleague had proposed. How does this example represent part of the necessary process for developing a scientific theory?

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Chemistry

Baldwin

14 March, 16:10

The results of Rutherford's gold foil experiment disproved the model of the atom that his mentor and colleague had proposed. How does this example represent part of the necessary process for developing a scientific theory?

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Laney Smith · Answer 1

During the development of a scientific theory, numerous scientific experiments are carried out through different approaches. A theory holds true as long as no experiment disproves a theory.

This experiment showed that when testing a theory with a new approach, it is possible that it may be disproven, meaning scientists should not settle for any explanation for a natural phenomenon that is not completely explained; instead, they should continue to investigate and hypothesize to improve their understanding of the phenomenon.