Physics P2 6.2 The discovery of the nucleus.

Created by: Atlanta and Jacob
Created on: 14-10-16 23:36

What is the 'plum pudding' model?

At one time scientists thought that atoms consisted of spheres of positive charges with electrons stuck into them, like plums in a pudding.

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Who devised an alpha particle scattering experiment and what did it entail?

Rutherford, Geiger and Marsden devised an alpha particle scattering experiment in which they fired alpha particles at thin gold foil.

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What happened to most of the alpha particles in the alpha particle scattering experiment?

They passed straight though the foil meaning most of the atom is just empty space.

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Although most of the alpha particles passed straight through the foil in the alpha particle scattering experiment, what happened to the rest?

Some of the alpha particles were deflected through small angles suggesting that the nucleus has a positive charge and a few rebound through very large angles suggesting the nucleus has a large mass and a very large positive charge.

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What evidence did Rutherford use from the alpha particle scattering experiments?

Measurements to prove that an atom has a small positively charged, central nucleus where most of the mass of the atom is located.

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What did the nuclear model of the atom correctly explain?

The nuclear model of the atom correctly explained why the alpha particles are scattered and why some are scattered through large angles.

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Why did most alpha particles pass straight through the foil in Rutherford's experiment?

Most of the atom is empty space.

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What did the alpha particle scattering experiment suggest about the structure of the nucleus?

The nucleus is where most of the mass of the atom is concentrated, very small and positively charged.

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The alpha particle has a positive charge, what does some of the alpha particles rebounding suggest?

That they must have been repelled by another positive charge.

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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Who devised an alpha particle scattering experiment and what did it entail?

Back

Rutherford, Geiger and Marsden devised an alpha particle scattering experiment in which they fired alpha particles at thin gold foil.

Card 3

Front

What happened to most of the alpha particles in the alpha particle scattering experiment?

Back

Card 4

Front

Although most of the alpha particles passed straight through the foil in the alpha particle scattering experiment, what happened to the rest?

Back

Card 5

Front

What evidence did Rutherford use from the alpha particle scattering experiments?

Back

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Physics P2 6.2 The discovery of the nucleus.