Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment
A Grade 10 science worksheet exploring Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment, its setup, observations, and conclusions about the atomic structure.
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Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment
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Read each question carefully and provide your best answer based on your knowledge of Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment. Show all your work where applicable.
1. What was the primary goal of Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment?
To discover new elements
To determine the charge of an electron
To investigate the internal structure of the atom
To measure the atomic mass of gold
2. What type of particles were used as projectiles in the experiment?
Electrons
Protons
Neutrons
Alpha particles
3. Most of the alpha particles passed straight through the gold foil, indicating that atoms are mostly .
4. A small fraction of the alpha particles were deflected at large angles, suggesting the presence of a small, dense, positively charged within the atom.
5. The positive charge of the alpha particles (helium nuclei) was repelled by the charged nucleus.
6. Describe the expected outcome of the experiment if the Plum Pudding Model of the atom were correct.
7. What was the most surprising observation made during Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment?
8. Rutherford's experiment provided evidence for the existence of electrons.
True
False
9. The gold foil used in the experiment was very thick to ensure maximum deflection.
True
False
10. Explain how Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment led to the downfall of the Plum Pudding Model and the development of the nuclear model of the atom.