Question

State the conclusions of Rutherford's \( \alpha \)-particle scattering experiment. 
 

Hint:

Rutherford's  model of the atom replaced Thomson's "plum pudding" model by introducing the nucleus.

Answer 1

Rutherford's  experiment concluded the existence of a small, dense, and positively charged nucleus at the center of the atom. 
Key conclusions from the \( \alpha \)-particle scattering experiment:
1. Most \( \alpha \)-particles passed through the gold foil, indicating atoms are mostly empty space.
2. A few \( \alpha \)-particles were deflected at small angles, suggesting a positively charged region in the atom.
3. Very few were deflected back, confirming that the nucleus is small, massive, and positively charged.