When Ernest Rutherford aimed a beam of particles at a thin gold foil he expected that the particles would be deflected slightly after passing through the foil.
Further Explanation;
An atom
- An atom is the smallest particle of an element that takes part in a chemical reaction.
- It is made up of a nucleus and energy levels.
- Atoms contain sub atomic particles; electrons found in the energy levels, neutrons and protons found in the nucleus of the atom.
- Electrons are negatively charged, protons are positively charged while neutrons have no charge.
- The positive charge of protons gives nucleus a positive charge which attracts the opposite charged electrons.
Rutherford Experiment
- Rutherford carried out an experiment where he fired alpha particles at a piece of gold foil.
- He found that about 1/800 of the alpha particles fired bounced back off of the gold foil.
- He therefore, concluded that there was a part of the atom that was very dense, and that there was also lots of empty spaces.
- According to Rutherford's model an atom contains a small, positively charged nucleus surrounded by electrons that travel in circular orbits around the nucleus similar to the structure of the Solar system.
Shortcoming of Rutherford's model
- Rutherford's model of the atom failed to explain why electrons were not pulled into the atomic nucleus by the attraction of opposite charges of the nucleus and electrons.
Keywords: Atom, Rutherford experiment, gold foil, nucleus of an atom, setbacks of Rutherford's model
Learn more about:
- An atom: https://brainly.com/question/3335747
- Rutherford's model: https://brainly.com/question/3335747
- Short coming of Rutherford's model: https://brainly.com/question/3335747
- Difference between Rutherford's and Bohr's model: https://brainly.com/question/3335747
Level: High school
Subject: Chemistry
Topic: Structure of an atom and Atomic models
Sub-topic: Rutherford's and Bohr's model
