Rutherford Scattering (AQA A Level Physics): Revision Note

Rutherford scattering

• Evidence for the structure of the atom was discovered by Ernest Rutherford at the beginning of the 20th century from the study of alpha particle scattering

• Rutherford passed beams of alpha particles through a thin sheet of gold foil to investigate:

  • the different angles of deflection of the alpha particles

  • the number of alpha particles that were deflected at each angle

Apparatus for the Rutherford scattering experiment

• The setup for the scattering experiment consisted of:

  • a source of alpha particles in a lead container

  • a thin sheet of gold foil

  • a movable detector 

  • an evacuated chamber

Purpose of the lead container

• Alpha particles are emitted in all directions, so the source was placed in a lead container

• This was to produce a collimated beam of alpha particles

• This is because alpha particles are absorbed by lead, so a long narrow hole at the front allowed a concentrated beam of alpha particles to escape and be directed as needed

Purpose of the thin sheet of gold foil

• The target material needed to be extremely thin, about 10⁻⁶ m thick

• This is because a thicker foil would stop the alpha particles completely

• Gold was chosen due to its malleability, meaning it was easy to hammer into thin sheets

Purpose of the evacuated chamber

• Alpha particles are highly ionising, meaning they only travel about 5 cm before interacting with molecules of air

• So, the apparatus was placed in an evacuated chamber

• This was to ensure that the alpha particles did not collide with any particles on their way to the foil target

Findings from the Rutherford scattering experiment

• An alpha (α) particle is the nucleus of a helium atom, so it has a positive charge

• The observations from Rutherford's experiment were:

  A. The majority of α-particles passed straight through the foil undeflected
  

• This suggests the atom is mostly empty space

  B. Some α-particles deflected through small angles of <10°
  

• This suggests there is a positive nucleus at the centre (since two positive charges would repel)

  C. Only a small number of α-particles deflected straight back at angles of >90°
  

• This suggests the nucleus is extremely small and is where most of the mass and charge of the atom are concentrated

• This led to the conclusion that atoms consist of small, dense positively charged nuclei surrounded by negatively charged electrons

• Note: The atom is around 100 000 times larger than the nucleus!