Question

Identify the conclusions from Rutherford's alpha ray scattering experiment.

• A. The center of the atom is empty.
• B. Most of the atom is empty.
• C. The center of atom has negative charge.
• D. Atomic mass is spread over the whole atom.

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (D)

The correct options are
B

Most of the atom is empty.

D

Atomic mass is spread over the whole atom.

According to Rutherford, the atoms are made of two parts: the nucleus and the extra-nuclear part. His experiments proved that the atom is largely empty and has a heavy positively-charged body at the centre called the nucleus. The central nucleus is positively charged and the negatively charged electrons revolve around the nucleus.