What led to the Plum Pudding model being replaced by Rutherford's nuclear model of the atom? (6 marks)

The Plum Pudding model states that charge and mass is spread throughout the atom. An idea that electrons are spread within a mass of positive charge.Rutherford carried out an experiment where he fired high energy alpha particles at gold foil and observed the scattering of the particles. Most alpha particles fired went straight through suggesting than an atom is mainly empty space. Some positively charged alpha particles were deflected through large angles by the positive charge, concentrated at the nucleus. A few alpha particles were reflected straight back by the dense positive nucleus. Hence, disproving the Plum Pudding model.

RP
Answered by Rachna P. Physics tutor

23198 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What is the difference between speed and velocity?


What is the name given to waves where the oscillations are in the same direction as the wave energy?


I don't understand acceleration and how something can accelerate without speeding up.


A single wind turbine has a maximum power output of 2 000 000 W. The wind turbine operated continuously at maximum power for 6 hours. Calculate the energy output in kilowatt-hours of the wind turbine.


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