Nuclear Physics Flashcards
1
Q
Describe the Rutherford scattering experiment?
A
Alpha particles had been fired at a thin piece of gold leaf. Majority of the particles passed through, however some were deflected at large angles.
2
Q
What did the scattering experiment disprove ?
A
The plum pudding model , negatively charged electrons that had been embedded in a uniform sphere of positive charge
3
Q
Why had strong deflections been seen in the scattering experiment ?
A
The electrostatic repulsion between the positive nucleus and the positive alpha particles.
4
Q
Why did most of the alpha particles pass through in the scattering experiment?
A
Most of the atom is free space
