Why is Rutherford's experiment called the gold foil experiment?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the reasoning behind the nomenclature of Rutherford's experiment, specifically why it is referred to as the 'gold foil experiment.' This involves understanding the materials used in the experiment and the significance of gold foil in the context of the findings.
Answer
Rutherford's experiment is called the gold foil experiment because he used a thin sheet of gold foil to study the deflection of alpha particles.
The final answer is: Rutherford's experiment is called the gold foil experiment because he attempted to pass a beam of alpha particles through a thin sheet of gold foil.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is: Rutherford's experiment is called the gold foil experiment because he attempted to pass a beam of alpha particles through a thin sheet of gold foil.
More Information
This groundbreaking experiment led to the discovery that atoms are mostly empty space and have a dense nucleus at their center.
Sources
- Why is Rutherford's experiment called the gold foil experiment? - homework.study.com
- Ernest Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment | Overview & Discovery - study.com