In Rutherford's gold foil experiments, the observation of particles being reflected back directly was due to:
A) alpha particles being deflected off orbiting electrons in gold atoms.
B) alpha particles being deflected off neutrons scattered in gold atoms.
C) alpha particles causing the disintegration of the nuclei of the gold atoms.
D) alpha particles being deflected off protons present in the gold atoms nuclei.
E) alpha particles being deflected off dense electron clouds surrounding the nuclei.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The observation of particles being reflected back directly in Rutherford's gold foil experiments was due to alpha particles being deflected off protons present in the gold atoms nuclei. Rutherford's experiments revealed that atoms have a small, positively charged nucleus at their center, which contains most of the atom's mass and all of its positive charge. The alpha particles were repelled by the positively charged nucleus, causing them to change direction and scatter.

In Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiments, the Observation of Particles Being