Question

What do you think would be the observation if $\alpha$-particle scattering experiment is carried out on:

Heavy nucleus like platinum

Answer 1

As Platinum (Pt) is also a heavy nucleus like Gold (Au), so the observations with Platinum will also be quite similar. i.e.; most of the alpha-particles pass straight through the foil, a small fraction of particles deviate at a small angle and on rare occasions, alpha-particles rebound completely.

• However, with Platinum, number of particles that completely rebound will be comparatively more than in Gold..
• This is because Platinum is less malleable than Gold due to which obtaining a single layer of atoms in the foil is not possible.
• So chances of another atom present behind or in front of the atom in question will be more.
• Therefore, if an alpha particle penetrated through the empty space of the first atom and would have passed straight through in the case of gold foil, but due to the chance of the presence of another atom behind it in the case of Platinum will lead to a rebound of the alpha-particle.