Might our current models of the atom change in the future?

1 Answer
Nov 16, 2015

Yes, precisely because they are models.

Explanation:

Our models of the atom are based on observations and theoretical constructions which have been successful in predicting behaviour subsequently observed. To the extent that they have successfully predicted subsequent observations they are good models.

There is no way of establishing that any of our current models is true. By observation we might establish that a model is not accurate, but we cannot establish that it is an exact description of reality.

Therefore there may be better models in the future.

The same is true in any Natural science.