Question

Identify what happens to a stream of $\alpha$-particles that is shoot at a thin sheet of gold foil in a rutherford experiment?

• A. All of the particles pass straight through
• B. A few of the particles bounce back at ${180}^o$
• C. All of the particles bounce back at ${180}^o$
• D. Most of the particles are absorbed by the foil
• E. None of the particles are deflected by more than ${45}^o$

Answer 1

The correct option is B A few of the particles bounce back at ${180}^o$

Rutherford made three observations in his gold foil experiment :

1) Almost all the alpha particles pass through the foil without any deviation.

2) some of the alpha particles deviate by some angle.

3) Very few (1 in 20,000) alpha particles bounce back at ${180}^o$ angle.

Thus option B is correct.