What was fired at what in the alpha particle scattering experiment?: Alpha particles were directed at a thin sheet of gold foil.
In alpha particle scattering, what does it show that most alpha particles passed straight through the foil undeflected?: The atom is mostly empty space.
In alpha particle scattering, what does it show that a few alpha particles were deflected back towards the source?: The mass of the atom is concentrated at the centre in a nucleus, and the nucleus is charged.
Why is an alpha particle repelled as it passes close to a nucleus?: The alpha particle and the nucleus both have positive charge, and like charges repel.
Why is the path of one alpha particle more tightly curved than another's in the scattering experiment?: It passes closer to the nucleus, so experiences a stronger repulsive force (stronger electric field).
Which model of the atom did the results of the alpha particle scattering experiment replace, and with what?: It replaced the plum pudding model with the nuclear model.
True or false? The plum pudding model predicted that some alpha particles would bounce straight back off the foil.: False. It predicted all alpha particles would pass through with little or no deflection.

Rutherford Scattering Flashcards