What is the Rutherford alpha scattering experiment and what does it tell us?

The Rutherford experiment allowed us to experimentally disprove older models of the atom, forming the basis of the evidence for the nuclear model of the atom. The atom at the time was believed to have been a dense clump of positive and negative particles (protons and electrons). This was called the 'Plum Pudding' model. Thus it was expected that if we fired positively charged particles at gold foil (a sheet of atoms) they would rebound back. The experiment consisted of an alpha source (think of it as an alpha particle gun), opposite a sheet of thin gold foil. Alpha particles were fired at the gold foil. Surprisingly, it was found that 99.5% of the particles went straight through without deflecting or rebounding. Only 1 in 8000 deflected through an angle greater than 90 degrees, and only 1 in 2000 scattered at all. What do we understand from this?Most of the atom is empty space.The plum pudding model is invalid. As only a very small number of alpha particles were deflecting, the positively charged part of the atom must be very, very, very small. This is the positively charged nucleus. Small negatively charged particles (electrons) must orbit the nucleus.For A2 level- further calculations and information regarding the experiment are required, but assumes knowledge of other modules. reference to the electrostatic force and strong nuclear force would also be required. Limitations of the experiment would also be required.