He observed that alpha particles can scatter (bounce) backwards off of matter. If matter was evenly distributed, the high energy particles should go through it like "a 15 inch shell through tissue paper" to paraphrase Rutherford. The fact that they bounced back meant that the charged matter (protons) must be distributed in small dense clusters so that the alpha particles (helium nuclei) hit these charges like a billiard ball and, if hit directly, could bounce straight back. This lead him to the understanding that atoms have a small central charged nucleus surrounded less densely by negative charges (electrons). It was, in some sense, the end of nuclear physics.
The atom is mostly empty space.
The atom has a dense center.
Rutherford proved it it from his alpha-particle scattering experiment.
The scattering experiment of E. Rutherford and his team lead to the disvovery of the proton and to a new atomic model. Alpha particles colliding an atom are scattered by the positive atomic nucleus containing protons.
The scattering of alpha particles by a metal foil.
Because the alpha particles are positively charged. In order for the experiment to work, the positive alpha particles must be attracted to the negatively charged gold foil.
Ernest Rutherford was responsible for the Gold Foil experiment. A great portion of Ernest Rutherford's research included the study of alpha particles.
Rutherford proved it it from his alpha-particle scattering experiment.
The scattering experiment of E. Rutherford and his team lead to the disvovery of the proton and to a new atomic model. Alpha particles colliding an atom are scattered by the positive atomic nucleus containing protons.
Ernest Rutherford, a New Zealand-born physicist, conducted the gold foil experiment in the early 20th century. This experiment involved shooting alpha particles at a thin gold foil and observing their scattering patterns. Rutherford's observations led to the conclusion that atoms have a dense, positively-charged nucleus at their center, which eventually formed the basis of the modern atomic model.
The scattering of alpha particles by a metal foil.
Because the alpha particles are positively charged. In order for the experiment to work, the positive alpha particles must be attracted to the negatively charged gold foil.
The experiment explains all angles as a measure of how close the alpha particles travelled to the nuclei. An acute angle means that the particle virtually hit the nucleus and was directly rebounded.
Rutherford conducted an experiment in which Alpha particles were fired at a gold nucleus. Most of the particles passed through unaffected. However, some were deflected by a small amount whilst an even smaller number of the particles were deflected completely. This led to the conclusion that the atom has an extremely small, central, positively charged nucleus. As both the positive alpha particle and the positive nucleus repel each other by electrostatic forces. The fact that only a small amount of particles are deflected shows that the nucleus is only a tiny central part of the atom.
A+ answer: A few of the alpha particles in his expeirment were deflected from the gold foil at large angles. Scattering pattern of alpha particles 'shot' at a thin gold foil. Most went straight thru showing the nucleus was very small. Analysis of the scattering showed electrical repulsion, not that the particles actually hit the nucleus and bounced off.
Ernest Rutherford suggested that most of the mass of the atom is located in the nucleus. He came to this conclusion after finding the results on his famous gold foil experiment. This is where he fired radio active particles through very thin metal foils, and detected them using screens covered in zinc sulphide.
The Gold Foil Expirament-Rutherford A line of photons were shot through a thin piece of gold, and rutharford theorized that they should pass through. However some passed through while others deflected and some reflected backwards. It gave proof that atoms have a nucleus
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Ernest Rutherford was responsible for the Gold Foil experiment. A great portion of Ernest Rutherford's research included the study of alpha particles.