Question

Gold is chosen by Rutherford for his $\alpha$-ray scattering experiment because:

• A. gold has high malleability
• B. gold has high ductility
• C. gold has high density
• D. gold is the least reactive element

Answer 1

The correct option is A gold has high malleability

Malleability is a property of metals which can be beaten into sheets. For his experiment Rutherford needed a very thin sheet of metal and hence he selected gold metal which could be beaten into very thin sheet.