Why does the classical electromagnetic theory predict that an atom should collapse?
**Rutherford's nuclear model** atom has small massive positively charged nucleus with electrons orbiting, size ratio atomic to nuclear ~10⁵, nucleus ~10⁻¹⁵ m atom ~10⁻¹⁰ m, most alpha particles with large impact parameter pass undeflected, small fraction >90° scatter from close approach, centripetal force provided by Coulomb attraction k Z e²/r², fails to explain stability because accelerating charge should radiate and collapse. An accelerating electron in orbit emits radiation, losing energy and spiraling into the nucleus, leading to collapse according to classical theory. Using E_n = -13.6/n
Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Atoms and Nuclei > Atomic Models - Rutherford, Thomson and Bohr