Exam-style question
Try this first
What evidence from Rutherford's experiment supported the existence of a small, dense nucleus?.
- A.The uniform distribution of charge in the atom.
- B.The deflection of alpha particles at small angles.
- C.The large deflection of some alpha particles.
- D.The absorption of alpha particles by the foil.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- The large deflection of some alpha particles.
Explanation
Why this works
The large deflection of alpha particles indicated that they were encountering a concentrated positive charge, which could only be explained by the presence of a small, dense nucleus at the center of the atom, thus supporting the nuclear model over the plum pudding model.
Common mistake
No common mistake is linked to this question yet.