Some α-particles were deflected through the foil by small angles and one out of every 12,000 particles rebounded then why did he conclude that all the protons are present inside the nucleus in a small volume even though there were some protons which made small deflections?
Some α-particles were deflected through the foil by small angles and one out of every 12,000 particles rebounded then why did he conclude that all the protons are present inside the nucleus in a small volume even though there were some protons which made small deflections?
One of the observations of Rutherford experiment stated that most of the alpha particles pass straight through the foil, that is they are not deflected. Had the positive charge been evenly distributed in the atom, most of the alpha particles would have deflected from their paths due to repulsion between the positive charges and the alpha particles (like charges repel each other). However, only a few alpha particles are deflected. This is only possible if the positive charge is concentrated in a small volume and not evenly distributed. As very few alpha particles rebounded, it means that the positive charge is enclosed in a small but hard body. Had this body been large, the number of alpha particles rebounded and deflected would have been more. So, as the number of rebounded alpha particles are less, it means that the positive charge is enclosed in a small volume.
Thus, Rutherford concluded that the positive charge in an atom is concentrated in a small volume, which he called the nucleus.
One of the observations of Rutherford experiment stated that most of the alpha particles pass straight through the foil, that is they are not deflected. Had the positive charge been evenly distributed in the atom, most of the alpha particles would have deflected from their paths due to repulsion between the positive charges and the alpha particles (like charges repel each other). However, only a few alpha particles are deflected. This is only possible if the positive charge is concentrated in a small volume and not evenly distributed. As very few alpha particles rebounded, it means that the positive charge is enclosed in a small but hard body. Had this body been large, the number of alpha particles rebounded and deflected would have been more. So, as the number of rebounded alpha particles are less, it means that the positive charge is enclosed in a small volume.
Thus, Rutherford concluded that the positive charge in an atom is concentrated in a small volume, which he called the nucleus.
