Alpha Scattering Experiment

• What was the purpose of the alpha scattering experiment?

  To investigate the structure of the atom
• What were the steps of the alpha scattering experiment conducted by scientists?

  1. Fired small, positively charged alpha particles at gold foil.
  2. Expected particles to travel straight through.
  3. Observed some particles bounced back and many were deflected.
  4. Suggested that positive charge and mass are concentrated in the nucleus.
• What did scientists expect to happen when firing alpha particles at gold foil?

  They expected the alpha particles to travel straight through the gold.
• What conclusion did scientists draw from the alpha scattering results?

  The positive charge and mass of an atom must be concentrated in a small space called the nucleus.
• What is the thickness of the gold foil used in the alpha scattering experiment?

  One atom thick
• What phenomenon is observed when alpha particles are repelled during the experiment?

  This phenomenon is called alpha scattering.
• What phenomenon occurs when alpha particles bounce back and are deflected?

  Alpha scattering
• Why were scientists surprised during the alpha scattering experiment?

  Because some alpha particles bounced back and many were deflected
• What did scientists suggest about the structure of an atom based on their observations?

  That the positive charge and mass of an atom are concentrated in a small space called the nucleus
• How did the discovery of the nucleus change the atomic model?

  It debunked the plum pudding model by introducing a concentrated area of mass and positive charge