Which of the following are explained in Rutherford's model of an atom…

The correct answer is Option (2) → (A), (B) and (D) only

Rutherford's nuclear model came from the alpha-particle scattering experiment: most alpha particles went straight through the foil, and a very few were turned back. This showed a tiny, massive, positively charged centre, with the electrons moving around it.

(A) An atom consists of a core called nucleus. — Correct. The large-angle scattering needs the positive charge and most of the mass concentrated in a nucleus.

(B) The nucleus occupies a very small space as compared to the size of atom. — Correct. Most alpha particles pass undeflected, so the nucleus is tiny; its size is about \( 10^{-15}\,\mathrm{m} \) against \( 10^{-10}\,\mathrm{m} \) for the atom.

(C) The stability of an atom. — Incorrect. An electron revolving in an orbit is accelerated, so by classical theory it should radiate energy and spiral into the nucleus. Rutherford's model cannot explain the stability of the atom; Bohr's postulates were needed for that.

(D) The electrons revolve around the nucleus in various orbits. — Correct. In the model the electrons revolve round the nucleus, the electrostatic attraction providing the centripetal force.

NCERT (2026-27):
Alpha-particle Scattering and Rutherford’s Nuclear Model of Atom – “… In Rutherford’s nuclear model of the atom, the entire positive charge and most of the mass of the atom are concentrated in the nucleus with the electrons some distance away. The electrons would be moving in orbits about the nucleus just as the planets do around the sun. Rutherford’s experiments suggested the size of the nucleus to be about 10^–15 m to 10^–14 m.”

Summary – “… (a) It predicts that atoms are unstable because the accelerated electrons revolving around the nucleus must spiral into the nucleus. This contradicts the stability of matter.”