Dynamid model

The dynamide model is an early atomic model by Philipp Lenard . It was created in 1903, but remained largely unknown.

Lenard examined atoms with cathode rays and found out that the absorption of electrons depends almost linearly on the mass density of the material. From this he concluded that atoms are made up of the same building blocks that he called dynamides . The dynamides should have the same mass and the same ability to absorb electrons. Lenard also assumed that the dynamids were electrically neutral. He explained the deflection of charged particles by the atom with the fact that the dynamides have an internal charge structure. He described them as fast rotating electrical dipoles .

The dynamide model explained the properties observed by Lenard. Both the attenuation and the deflection of the electron beams could be explained with him. So in that sense it was a successful atomic model. However, it could not explain why electrons can be released from matter and what energies arise.

Web links

• Dynamid model by Lenard at student level ( LEIFIphysik )
• The empty atom (pdf) by Arne Schirrmacher . (2.59 MB)