Question

When alpha particles are sent through a thin metal foil, only one out of ten thousand rebounded. What did this observation lead to?

• A. Unit positive charge is only present in an atom.
• B. The size of the positively charged nucleus is very small as compared to the atom
• C. More number of electrons are revolving around the nucleus of the atom.
• D. No positive charge is present.

Answer 1

The correct option is B

The size of the positively charged nucleus is very small as compared to the atom

When alpha particles are sent through a thin metal foil only one out of ten thousand rebounded. This means that the atom has lots of free space and all the positive charge is concentrated at a place.

So Rutherford concluded that the size of the positively charged nucleus is very small as compared to the atom.