Question

Why were lead plates used in rutherford's experiment?

Answer 1

the radioactive material is kept in a lead box so as to concentrate the alhpa particles on the gold foil . Lead has high density so alpha particles cant pass thru it , if we create a boundary of lead of sufficient thicknesswith a small slit right in front of the radioactive material , when the radioactiive materila will radiate alpha particles they will move in all directions and only the ones that can pass thru the whole in the lead box will go on to hit the gold foil. Alpha particles are dangerous if exposed to humans , can destroy our DNA. 

HOPE THIS HELPS

Answer 2

Answer:

To eliminate minute beta rays present in it

Explanation:

As the projects alpha rays, it can have minute sized beta particles.

Since lead is a high density metal and is a good absorbing element of alpha particles, it sends the alpha particles and eliminates beta particles. Hence it is kept during alpha scattering experiment.