Explain Rutherford's atomic model experiment

Rutherford had a sheet of gold foil just a few atoms thick, and surrounded it with detectors. He then fired alpha particles at the gold sheet, knowing that these were positively charged. Some of these were deflected from their paths, a very small number were reflected, but most passed straight through the foil. This told Rutherford that most of the atom must be empty space. He explained the deflections and reflections with a concentration of charge in the middle of the space of each atom. As so few were reflected and deflected compared to those that went straight through, the charge must be tiny compared to the atom. As it was repelling the positive alpha particles, it must also be positive. This was the nucleus.

HM

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe and explain the photoelectric effect (6 marks)


A yacht is sailing through water that is flowing due west at 2m/s. The velocity of the yacht relative to the water is 6m/s due south. The yacht has a resultant velocity of V m/s on a bearing of theta. Find V and theta


Describe the workings behind the Photoelectric effect


Using Fermat's Principle explain why it makes sense for light be refracted when crossing from one medium into another that has a different refractive index.