In Rutherford’s α-particle scattering experiment, the conclusion that most of the atom is empty space was drawn because:
Only a few α-particles showed deflection
When a thin gold foil was bombarded, the overwhelming majority of α-particles went straight through the foil undeviated and only a very small fraction were turned through large angles.
Since a dense, charged region would have deflected any particle passing close to it, the fact that deflections were so rare means the particles almost never met anything on the way — so the volume of the atom is largely unoccupied, with its positive charge and mass packed into a tiny nucleus.
Had the particles been absorbed by the foil, no beam would have emerged at all, and the neutrality or chemical behaviour of the atom says nothing about how its matter is distributed.
Hence, the answer is Only a few α-particles showed deflection.
Similar Questions
According to Bohr’s model, electrons revolve around the nucleus in:
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Atoms of different elements with different ___________ numbers but the same ______ number are known as isobars.
Which statement about mass number is correct?
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Statement I: The maximum number of electrons in any shell is given by 2n2.
Statement II: The third shell (n=3) can hold up to 12 electrons.
Important Questions from Structure of Atom
- How many moles of He atoms are present in its 20 u mass ?
Which of the following electron transition in hydrogen atom will require largest amount of energy?
A species having 8 electrons in the third shell is very reactive while the other species having 8 electrons in the third shell is very inactive they are :
Which of the following is the general formula for saturated hydrocarbons?
Which one of the following is the average atomic mass of chlorine atom?
