Chapter 4, Problem 44A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation : The results of Rutherford’s gold foil experiment differ from his expectations to be explained.

Concept Introduction : Rutherford performed a gold foil experiment to test the atomic structure plum-pudding model. The plum-pudding model of atomic structure was described by Thomson who discovered electrons.

Answer to Problem 44A

When alpha particles passed through the gold foil, some particles were bounced off at large angles and lacks in deflection. This is due to the tiny core of an atom called a nucleus. Due to this reason, the results of Rutherford’s gold-foil experiment differed from his expectations.

Explanation of Solution

Rutherford used a gold foil experiment to explain the structure of atoms.

He overcome the drawbacks of an atomic structure model that resembled plum pudding.

Rutherford based his atomic hypothesis on the findings of his experiments.

According to Rutherford's predictions, when the alpha particles pass through the gold, there will only be a very slight deflection brought on by the positive charge dispersed throughout the gold atoms.

Most alpha particles either passed completely through the gold foil or very slightly deflected it, according to the results of the experiments. On the other hand, it was unexpected that a small portion of the alpha particles bounced off the gold foil at incredibly large angles. Some even made a quick turn back in the direction of the origin.

The positive charges and almost all of the mass are concentrated in a tiny area with enough positive charge to explain the significant alpha particle deflection.

He referred to it as the nucleus.