alpha scattering experiment Flashcards
why did scientists use a piece of gold foil in the alpha scattering experiment?
because we can hammer gold into very thin foil
what was fired at gold foil?
positively charged alpha particles
what did scientists expect in the alpha scattering experiment?
alpha particles to pass straight through foil or slightly deflect at most
what actually happened in the alpha scattering experiment?
some alpha particles deflected more than expected, and some bounced back, disproving the the plum pudding model
because scientists realised the plum pudding model was not correct, what was created?
nuclear model of an atom
what was in the nuclear model of an atom?
tiny positively charged nucleus at centre, where most of the mass is. “ cloud of negative electrons surrounding nucleus meaning the atom is mostly empty space.
what happened when alpha particles came near positive charge of nucleus?
they were deflected in a different direction
what happened when alpha particles were fired directly at nucleus?
they were deflected backwards
