Draw the number of scattered particles versus the scattering angle graph for scattering of alpha particles by a thin foil. Write two important conclusions that can be drawn from this plot.
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Rutherford scattering key idea:
Most particles undeflected → empty space
Few large-angle deflections → tiny dense nucleus
Scattering of Alpha Particles: Graph and Conclusions The scattering of alpha particles by a thin foil (as in Rutherford’s experiment) can be represented by a plot of number of scattered particles versus scattering angle (\( \theta \)). Graph: In the graph: - The y-axis represents the number of alpha particles scattered. - The x-axis represents the scattering angle (\( \theta \)). - Most particles are scattered at very small angles, while very few are scattered at large angles. Two Important Conclusions: 1. Most alpha particles pass through undeflected: This indicates that the atom is mostly empty space, allowing most alpha particles to go straight through the foil without any deflection. 2. Some particles are deflected at large angles: A small number of alpha particles experience large-angle deflections, which implies the presence of a very small, dense, positively charged nucleus at the center of the atom that repels the alpha particles. Summary: The plot confirms Rutherford’s nuclear model of the atom: atoms consist of a tiny, dense, positively charged nucleus surrounded by electrons, with most of the atom being empty space. The scattering distribution is key evidence for the nuclear structure of the atom.
