Question

Which of the following observations was not correct during Rutherford's scattering experiment?

• A. Most of the $\alpha$-particles passed through the gold foil undeflected.
• B. A small fraction of the $\alpha$-particles was deflected by small angles.
• C. A large number of the $\alpha$-particles were bounced back.
• D. A very few $\alpha$-particles (~1 in 12,000) were bounced back.

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

A large number of the $\alpha$-particles were bounced back.

Very few bombarded $\alpha$-particles on gold foil were deflected by sharp angles and therefore, it was concluded that the positive charge is concentrated in a very small volume of the atom called nucleus.

Most of the particles passed through the foil undeflected and was concluded that most of the space in an atom is empty.
A very few $\alpha$-particles (approx. 1 in 12,000) were bounced back.
So option $C$ is only incorrect statement.