Chemistry
(a) Which metal did Rutherford select for his α-particle scattering experiment and why ?
(b) What do you think would be the observation of α-particle scattering experiment if carried out on
(i) heavy nucleus like platinum
(ii) light nuclei like lithium.
Answer
(a) Rutherford selected gold for his α-particle scattering experiment as he wanted as thin a layer as possible and gold is the most malleable metal.
(b) (i) Heavy nucleus like platinum will show the same observation with α-particles as shown by gold foil.
- Most of the α-particle will pass straight.
- Some α-particle will slightly deflect from their straight path.
- Very few will be deflected by very large angles or completely bounce back.
(ii) If light nuclei like lithium is used then fast moving α-particles may even push the light nucleus aside and may not be deflected back.
Related Questions
Which sub-atomic particle was discovered by
(a) Thomson
(b) Goldstein
(c) Chadwick.
Name the sub-atomic particle whose charge is
(a) +1
(b) -1
(c) 0.
On the basis of Rutherford's model of an atom, which subatomic particle is present in the nucleus of an atom?
Which part of an atom was discovered by Rutherford?