Question

Why did Rutherford use alpha particles instead of helium in his gold foil experiment?

Answer 1

because the were very light and could be easily obtained. alpha particles are obtained from removing two electrons of the helium atom making it positively charged body...

Answer 2

The scientist used Alpha particles because they are positively charged Helium particles and had a positive charge which would get deflected when it came near the positive charge near the nucleus of the atom