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In the experiment, Rutherford found the nucleus using gold foil.
because he used a thin sheet of gold foil.
Because he used a gold foil (the only metal that can be hammered into a 1 atom thick foil without tearing) in an attempt to scatter alpha particles.

The unexpected result that instead of all of the alpha particles scattering through small forward angles, a few bounced almost directly back to the source. This made the Thompson "plum pudding" model of the atom unworkable and suggested that each atom had a tiny "infinitely hard" kernel somewhere inside it. Rutherford named this kernel the nucleus.

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Virgil Connelly

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Why is Rutherford's experiment called the gold foil experiment?

In the experiment, Rutherford found the nucleus using gold foil.because he used a thin sheet of gold foil.Because he used a gold foil (the only metal that can be hammered into a 1 atom thick foil without tearing) in an attempt to scatter alpha particles.The unexpected result that instead of all of the alpha particles scattering through small forward angles, a few bounced almost directly back to the source. This made the Thompson "plum pudding" model of the atom unworkable and suggested that each atom had a tiny "infinitely hard" kernel somewhere inside it. Rutherford named this kernel the nucleus.


What material did Rutherford use in his famous experiment?

Rutherford's experimenters were Hans Geiger, and Ernest Marsden, both of whom went on to have worthwhile science careers. The metal foil used in the Rutherford experiments was gold, for this foil amy be made extremely thin by careful beating, whilst still being imperforate.


How do we use Rutherford's gold foil experiment today?

The Rutherford gold foil experiment is also known as the Geiger-Marsden experiments. In them, alpha particle scattering was measured, and showed how a large focus was found in such a way as to describe atoms having a dense nucleus. This experiment is not used for much today in any field other than focused particle physics, wherein it is the basis of most other calculations involving how atoms work.


Who used gold foil to help understand the structure of an atom?

Rutherfordium (#104), named for Ernest Rutherford.


If Rutherford made bombarded aluminum foil with alpha particles instead of gold foil what observations would he have used?

The scattering angles would have changed, but the qualitative results would also change: the reason Rutherford chose gold was because it is EXTREMELY malleable. One can stretch gold foil until it is only a few atoms thick in places, which is not possible with aluminum. If the foil were too thick, there would be no transmission of particles at all; the whole point was to demonstrate that most alpha particles passed through unchanged, but some of them scattered, which is only possible with a VERY thin foil.

Related Questions

Who used the gold foil experiment?

Ernest Rutherford conducted the gold foil experiment in 1909 at the University of Manchester. He aimed to investigate the structure of the atom and discovered that atoms have a small, positively charged nucleus at their center.


Who used polonium and gold foil in his famous experiment?

Rutherford supervised the experiment in his famous beta particle scatter experiment with gold foil, so he is given credit.


What experiment convinced Ernest Rutherford thet atom has a small positively charged nucleus?

The gold foil experiment convinced Ernest Rutherford that the atom has a small positively charged nucleus. In this experiment, alpha particles were shot at a thin gold foil. The fact that some of the alpha particles were deflected and even bounced back led Rutherford to conclude that atoms have a small, dense, positively charged nucleus.


Who used metallic foil as a target for alpha bombardment?

Ernest Rutherford used metallic foil, specifically gold foil, as a target for alpha particle bombardment in his famous gold foil experiment. This experiment led to the discovery of the atomic nucleus and the development of the nuclear model of the atom.


Why is Rutherford's experiment called the gold foil experiment?

In the experiment, Rutherford found the nucleus using gold foil.because he used a thin sheet of gold foil.Because he used a gold foil (the only metal that can be hammered into a 1 atom thick foil without tearing) in an attempt to scatter alpha particles.The unexpected result that instead of all of the alpha particles scattering through small forward angles, a few bounced almost directly back to the source. This made the Thompson "plum pudding" model of the atom unworkable and suggested that each atom had a tiny "infinitely hard" kernel somewhere inside it. Rutherford named this kernel the nucleus.


What would be the result of Rutherford gold foil experiment if electrons were used in place of alpha partilces?

The electrons would have been attracted to the atomic nuclei of the gold foil.


What type of metal did Rutherford use in his experiment?

Brilliant experimental physicist and one of the founders of nuclear physics


The kind of particle Rutherford used to shoot through gold foil?

Rutherford shot high-energy alpha particles (two protons and two neutrons, or a helium nucleus) at the gold foil. A small fraction of these alpha particles bounced back, and that is how Rutherford discovered the nucleus.


Who was the schientist who used the gold foill?

Ernest Rutherford is the scientist who conducted the famous gold foil experiment in 1909, which led to the discovery of the atomic nucleus.


Why was a vacuum used for Rutherford's gold foil experiment?

A vacuum was used in Rutherford's gold foil experiment to reduce interference from air molecules that could scatter the alpha particles, leading to inaccurate results. The vacuum helped create a controlled environment for the experiment, allowing the alpha particles to pass through the gold foil without deflection by air particles.


Who used the gold foil experiment to determine the atom is mostly empty space?

Ernest Rutherford used the gold foil experiment to determine that the atom is mostly empty space. He directed alpha particles at a thin sheet of gold foil and found that while most particles passed through, some were deflected, leading him to conclude that atoms have a small, dense nucleus surrounded by mostly empty space.


What material did Rutherford use in his famous experiment?

Rutherford's experimenters were Hans Geiger, and Ernest Marsden, both of whom went on to have worthwhile science careers. The metal foil used in the Rutherford experiments was gold, for this foil amy be made extremely thin by careful beating, whilst still being imperforate.