In his scattering experiment, Ernest Rutherford expected that the alpha particles he was using as bullets would easily penetrate his gold foil target with no backscatter. What was the actual result of the experiment?
A) It was as expected-no backscattered alpha particles.
B) Surprisingly, all of the alpha particles were scattered back from the foil without penetrating.
C) About half of the alpha particles were backscattered.
D) Almost all of the alpha particles penetrated the foil, but a few were backscattered into the direction from which they had come.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Rutherford's experiment showed that while most alpha particles passed through the gold foil, a small number were deflected at large angles, indicating the presence of a dense, positively charged nucleus within the atom.

In His Scattering Experiment, Ernest Rutherford Expected That the Alpha