I dont really understand the Rutherford experiment

Rutherford revolutionised the atomic model with this experiment. At that time, the general idea was that of JJ Thompson, the  "plum pudding" atomic model. Rutherford bombarded a sheet of gold with alfa particles (positive charge) and measured the scattering pattern using a fluorescent screen that would be illuminated after being struck by the alpha radiation.He observed that although most alpha particles were not deflected, a very small percentage of them were deflected by nearly 180 degrees. These observations suggested different things: The atom consisted of mostly empty space (since most alphas were undeflected) and in the middle there was a very small positively charged nucleus that had mass, with a cloud of electrons orbiting around it. Does this help?

ES
Answered by Eduardo S. Physics tutor

3107 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is the most effective use of the equation sheet?


A transmitter from a researcher's boat sends a signal to the seabed of waves speed 300m/s and it takes 5 seconds for the signal to return back to the boat. Calculate the depth of the sea there.


Calculate the flight time of a ball moving in parabolic motion, with initial velocity 5.0m/s at angle 30 degrees from the horizontal travelling for 23 metres.


How would I derive Kepler's third law from Newton's law of gravitation and the equations of circular motion?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning