Rutherford's nuclear model of the atom, discussed in Chapter 4, explained the basic organization of the protons, neutrons, and electrons in the atom. The properties of the electrons in an atom have a ...Rutherford's nuclear model of the atom, discussed in Chapter 4, explained the basic organization of the protons, neutrons, and electrons in the atom. The properties of the electrons in an atom have a large influence on the chemical and physical characteristics of the atoms. Chapter 12 explore the development of atomic theory from the nuclear atomic model to the quantum-mechanical model and how the electron arrangement influences the trends seen in the periodic table.