Multiple Choice
In the Rutherford gold foil experiment, what did Rutherford originally expect would happen when alpha particles were directed at the thin gold foil?
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2. Atoms & Elements
Rutherford Gold Foil Experiment
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In the gold foil experiment,
A
most alpha particles passed through with little or no deflection.
B
a few alpha particles were deflected, some through large angles.
C
Rutherford proved that the plum-pudding model was incorrect.
D
alpha particles were directed at a thin sheet of gold foil.
E
All of the above statements are true.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the context of the gold foil experiment: It was conducted by Ernest Rutherford to investigate the structure of the atom.
Recognize the significance of the experiment: Alpha particles were directed at a thin sheet of gold foil to observe their behavior upon collision.
Analyze the observations: Most alpha particles passed through the foil with little or no deflection, indicating that atoms are mostly empty space.
Consider the deflection of some alpha particles: A few were deflected at large angles, suggesting the presence of a dense, positively charged nucleus within the atom.
Conclude the implications: These observations disproved the plum-pudding model, which posited that positive charge was spread throughout the atom, and led to the nuclear model of the atom.
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