Alpha Particle Scattering Experiment (OCR A Level Physics): Revision Note

Alpha Particle Scattering Experiment

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

• The experimental setup consists of alpha particles fired at thin gold foil and a detector on the other side to detect how many particles deflected at different angles

α-particle scattering experiment set up

• α-particles are the nucleus of a helium atom and are positively charged

When α-particles are fired at thin gold foil, most of them go straight through but a small number bounce straight back

What did the Alpha Particle Scattering Experiment Show?

• The Rutherford alpha particle scattering experiment showed that:

• The majority of α-particles went straight through (A)

  • This suggested the atom is mainly empty space

• Some α-particles deflected through small angles of < 10^o (B)

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

• Only a small number of α-particles deflected straight back at angles of > 90^o (C)

  • This suggested the nucleus is extremely small and this is where the mass and charge of the atom is concentrated

  • It was therefore concluded that atoms consist of small dense positively charged nuclei

• Since atoms were known to be neutral, the negative electrons were thought to be on a positive sphere of charge (plum pudding model) before the nucleus was theorised

• Now it is known that the negative electrons are orbiting the nucleus. Collectively, these make up the atom