12.9 Deviations From Rutherford Scattering

Question 1

What does Rutherford scattering assume?

Answer 1

Assumes that the only force acting between an incoming alpha particle and the nucleus is the electric force. This implies that as the energy of the alpha particle increases the number of particles scattered at a particular angle will decrease.

Question 2

Why in reality does the particular energy of the number of scattered particles drop more sharply?

Answer 2

This is because the alpha particles are now so close to the nucleus that the strong nuclear force begins to act on the alpha particles, drawing some of them into the nucleus and therefore reducing the number that are scattered.

Question 3

What is the presence of these deviations from Rutherford scattering evidence for?

Answer 3

The existence of the strong nuclear force.