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The Historical Development of the Atom and it Implications There were four scientists who came up with different theories about the atom and its structures. These four were John Dalton, Joseph John Thomson, Earnest Rutherford, and Neil Bohr. They each had different theories and ideas about the atom. John Dalton Dalton believed that atoms were the smallest parts of matter. He believed that all atoms were the same but ranged in weights. He also believed that when elements mixed there atoms mixed to form a compound with different atoms in it. Joseph John Thomson Thomson believed that atoms had particles in them called electrons. He found out that the electron was negatively charged. He discovered that at very low pressures some gases conduct electricity. He found out that electrons weigh about 1/1840 of a hydrogen atom. He also believed that the atom had the electron scattered through it. Earnest Rutherford Rutherford was the first man to split the atom. He concluded that the atom was most