Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table: Alpha-Scattering Experiment (DONE) Flashcards
What is the plum pudding model?
The plum pudding model is the scientific model of an atom in which the atom is a ball of positive charge with negative electrons embedded in it.
What was the purpose of the alpha scattering experiment?
The purpose of the alpha scattering experiment is to check whether the plum pudding model was correct.
How did the alpha scattering experiment work?
The alpha scattering experiment involved taking a piece of gold foil, scientists then fired tiny particles at the gold foil. We call these alpha particles
Do alpha particles have a positive or negative charge?
Alpha particles have a positive charge.
What was the conclusion of the alpha scattering experiment?
The conclusions made from the alpha scattering experiment are that atoms are mainly empty space and there’s a positively charged centre in an atom called the nucleus.
What was the name of the new model of the atom that came after the plum pudding model?
After the plum pudding model came the nuclear model.
What is the nuclear model?
The scientific model of an atom where the atom is mostly empty space and in the centre of the atom we have a positive nucleus and around the edge of the atom we have negative electrons.
Describe what happened when the scientists fired alpha particles at the gold foil? (3 Observations)
The scientists found that most of the alpha particles passed straight through the gold foil without changing direction, sometimes an alpha particle was deflected and sometimes an alpha particle bounced straight back off the gold foil.
Why did alpha particles sometimes deflect and bounce straight back when fired at the gold foil?
Alpha particles were sometimes deflected or bounced back when fired at the gold foil and this was because they are positive and they repelled against the positive charge at the centre of an atom.
