Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment

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Questions and Answers

Match the descriptions to the atomic model they best represent:

Electrons are scattered throughout a sphere of positive charge. = Thomson's Model The atom consists mostly of empty space with electrons orbiting a central nucleus. = Rutherford's Model Electrons 'embedded' in positive charge. = Thomson's Model The model that the Gold Foil Experiment disproved = Thomson's Model

Match the following scientists with their contributions to atomic theory:

Proposed the 'plum pudding' model of the atom. = Thomson Conducted the Gold Foil Experiment, leading to the discovery of the nucleus. = Rutherford Determined the mass and charge of an electron. = Thomson Proposed that the atom consists mostly of empty space. = Rutherford

Match each description to the correct component of Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment:

Source of alpha particles. = Radium Detected the distribution of alpha particles after they passed through the foil. = Fluorescent Screen Target bombarded with alpha particles. = Gold Foil Shielding for the alpha particle source. = Lead Box

Match the observations from Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment with their implications:

Most alpha particles passed straight through the gold foil. = Atoms are mostly empty space. Some alpha particles were slightly deflected. = Alpha particles coming close to the nucleus. A few alpha particles bounced back at large angles. = Existence of a small, dense, positively charged nucleus. Uniform deflection of alpha particles. = Not observed in the experiment. Signup and view all the answers

Associate each statement with the atomic model it accurately describes:

Positive charge is uniformly distributed throughout the atom. = Thomson Model The atom has a small, dense nucleus. = Rutherford Model Electrons orbit the nucleus in fixed paths. = Rutherford Model Electrons are embedded within a positive 'soup'. = Thomson Model Signup and view all the answers

Match the descriptions with conclusions drawn from the Gold Foil Experiment:

The atom is mostly empty space. = Most alpha particles passed straight through. The nucleus carries a positive charge. = Some alpha particles experienced high deflection. Most of the atom's mass is in the nucleus. = Some alpha particles experienced high deflection. Electrons revolve in fixed orbits. = Not supported by the Gold Foil Experiment. Signup and view all the answers

Match the details to the appropriate atomic model:

Also known as the plum pudding model. = Thomson Model Developed after the Gold Foil Experiment. = Rutherford Model Predicted alpha particles would pass through with little to no deflection. = Thomson Model Proposed a dense nucleus with electrons orbiting. = Rutherford Model Signup and view all the answers

Match the phrases that are comparable for each model:

Positive charge spread throughout the atom. = Thomson Model Positive charge concentrated in a small nucleus. = Rutherford Model Electrons distributed evenly within the positive charge. = Thomson Model Electrons orbit the nucleus in mostly empty space. = Rutherford Model Signup and view all the answers

Match the following elements of the Gold Foil Experiment:

Source of alpha particles = Radium Material bombarded by alpha particles = Gold Foil Observed the distribution of the alpha particles after passing through the gold foil = Fluorescent Screen Shielding Material = Lead Box Signup and view all the answers

Match the conclusions from Rutherford’s experiment with the supporting observations:

Atom is mostly empty space = Most alpha particles passed straight through the gold foil The core of the atom is positive = Some alpha particles were deflected Majority of mass in atom is in a small space = A very small number of alpha particles bounced directly backward. Electrons occupy fixed, quantized orbits = No Observation Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Thomson's Atomic Model

An outdated model of the atom envisioning electrons scattered within a sphere of positive charge.

Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment

An experiment where alpha particles were fired at gold foil to probe atomic structure.

Rutherford's Atomic Model

The atom has a small, dense, positively charged nucleus, with electrons orbiting.

Observations of Gold Foil Experiment

Most particles went through, some deflected, and a few bounced back.

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Rutherford's Conclusions

Atoms have a small, dense, positive nucleus and are mostly empty space.

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Difference: Thomson vs. Rutherford

Unlike Thomson, it has a positive nucleus surrounded by mostly empty space.

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Purpose of Gold Foil Experiment

Test the plum pudding model, prove how positive charge concentrated in nucleus.

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Study Notes

Thomson's model, also known as the "Plum Pudding Model," envisions an atom as a sphere of positive charge with electrons embedded inside.
In Thomson's model, electrons are scattered within like "raisins" in a positively charged "pudding."
Rutherford proposed that an atom features a small, dense, positively charged nucleus.
Rutherford's model states electrons orbit the nucleus, with most of the atom being empty space.
The Gold Foil Experiment led to the development of Rutherford's model.

Major Parts of Rutherford’s Gold Foil Experiment

A thin gold foil sheet was bombarded with alpha particles emitted from radium, directed by a lead box.
A fluorescent screen detected the landing positions of the particles.
Observations were based on the deflection of particles.

Observations of Rutherford’s Gold Foil Experiment

Most alpha particles passed straight through the gold foil.
Some alpha particles experienced slight deflections.
A few alpha particles bounced back at large angles.

Comparison: Thomson vs. Rutherford Models

Thomson's model depicts electrons embedded in a positive sphere without a nucleus.
Rutherford's model describes a dense nucleus with orbiting electrons, with the atom mostly empty space.
Rutherford’s model was superior because it explained experimental results, unlike Thomson’s model.

Rutherford’s Conclusions

Atoms contain a small, dense nucleus with a positive charge.
Most of an atom consists of empty space.
Electrons orbit the nucleus of the atom, but contribute little to its overall mass.

Full Discussion of Gold Foil Experiment

The Gold Foil Experiment was designed to test the Plum Pudding Model.
Slight deflection was expected if the positive charge was spread out, according to the Plum Pudding Model.
Large deflections indicated the positive charge is concentrated in a nucleus.
The experiment led to the nuclear model of the atom.