answersLogoWhite

0

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.

User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Natural Sciences
Related Questions

Who said atoms were made up of subatomic particles?

Rutherford proved it it from his alpha-particle scattering experiment.


What is the 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.


Rutherfords alpha scattering experiment showed that the charge on the nucleus of the atom must be?

Rutherford's alpha scattering experiment showed that the charge on the nucleus of the atom must be positive because the alpha particles were deflected by the concentrated positive charge in the nucleus.


Do the alpha particles in Rutherford's experiment contain electrons?

No, alpha particles are helium nuclei made up of two protons and two neutrons, with no electrons. In Rutherford's experiment, alpha particles were used to probe the structure of atoms by scattering off the positive nucleus, helping to reveal the atom's structure.


What is the explanation for the scattering experiment of Rutherford?

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.


What bounced back in Rutherford's gold foil experiment?

Alpha particles bounced back in Rutherford's gold foil experiment. This observation led to the conclusion that atoms have a small, dense nucleus at their center.


Which observations helped Rutherford determine that atoms have tiny dense positively charged nuclei?

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.


What scientist said gold foil experiment which proved in early 20th century that atoms had a nucleus?

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.


Why can Rutherford's experiment not explain scattering of acute angles?

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.


Which of the following provided evidence that most of the mass of the atom as well as all of the positive charge is concentrated in a very small core the nucleus?

The gold foil experiment conducted by Ernest Rutherford provided evidence that most of the mass of the atom, as well as all of the positive charge, is concentrated in a very small core called the nucleus. In this experiment, alpha particles were scattered by the positively charged nucleus of gold atoms, leading to the conclusion that atoms have a dense, positively charged nucleus at their center.


What is the purpose of the Rutherford experiment?

The purpose of the Rutherford experiment was to investigate the structure of the atom. By bombarding a thin gold foil with alpha particles and observing their scattering patterns, Rutherford discovered that atoms have a small, positively charged nucleus at the center surrounded by mostly empty space with electrons orbiting around it. This experiment revolutionized our understanding of atomic structure.


Briefly describe Rutherford's experiment?

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