Could you explain me the Rutherford alpha particle scattering experiment?
Answers
Rutherford directed beams of alpha particles (which are the nuclei of helium atoms and hence positively charged) at thin gold foil to test this model and noted how the alpha particles scattered from the foil.
Rutherford made 3 observations:
1.)Most of the fast, highly charged alpha particles went whizzing straight through undeflected. This was the expected result for all of the particles if the plum pudding model was correct.
2.)Some of the alpha particles were deflected back through large angles. This was not expected.
3.)A very small number of alpha particles were deflected backwards! This was definitely not as expected. Rutherford later remarked "It was as incredible as if you fired a 15-inch shell at a piece of tissue paper and it came back at you!"