Question detail

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

Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.

At a glance

MCQ

Type

practice

Style

Topic

Atoms and isotopes

Question

  1. A. Atoms are mostly empty space
  2. B. Atoms are solid and indivisible
  3. C. Atoms contain only protons
  4. D. Atoms have no charge

Answer

The correct answer is A: Atoms are mostly empty space.

Explanation

The correct answer is A: Atoms are mostly empty space. This supports the learning objective "Describe how alpha scattering evidence led to the nuclear model replacing the plum pudding model." in The development of the model of the atom because it uses the correct atomic and nuclear radiation relationship for Atoms and isotopes. The other options are less suitable because they do not match the required The development of the model of the atom idea: Atoms are solid and indivisible; Atoms contain only protons; Atoms have no charge.

Common mistake

Confusing Models

Students often confuse the plum pudding model with the nuclear model, thinking they describe the same structure of the atom.

To fix this, students should focus on the key differences: the plum pudding model depicts a positive sphere with electrons embedded, while the nuclear model shows a dense nucleus with electrons orbiting around it.

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