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Rutherford Gold Foil Experiment definitions
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Rutherford Gold Foil Experiment
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Rutherford Gold Foil Experiment
A study that revealed the existence of a dense, positively charged nucleus in atoms, leading to the nuclear model.
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Terms in this set (15)
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Rutherford Gold Foil Experiment
A study that revealed the existence of a dense, positively charged nucleus in atoms, leading to the nuclear model.
Geiger-Marsden Experiment
Another name for the Rutherford Gold Foil Experiment, highlighting the contributions of Hans Geiger and Ernest Marsden.
Alpha Particles
Radioactive particles consisting of two protons and two neutrons, used to probe atomic structure in the experiment.
Nucleus
The dense, positively charged center of an atom, containing most of its mass, discovered through the experiment.
Protons
Positively charged particles located in the nucleus, contributing to the atom's overall positive charge.
Neutrons
Neutral particles found in the nucleus, contributing to the atomic mass but not to the charge.
Electrons
Negatively charged particles orbiting the nucleus, forming a cloud around it in the nuclear model.
Plum Pudding Model
An outdated atomic model proposing electrons embedded in a positive charge 'soup,' disproven by the experiment.
Nuclear Model
The atomic model established by Rutherford, featuring a central nucleus surrounded by orbiting electrons.
Detecting Screen
A device used in the experiment to observe the deflection and passage of alpha particles through gold foil.
Lead Box
A container used to encase the radioactive element, allowing controlled emission of alpha particles.
Iridium
The radioactive element typically used in the experiment to emit alpha particles towards the gold foil.
Atomic Number
The number of protons in an atom, determining its element, such as helium for alpha particles.
Mass Number
The total number of protons and neutrons in an atom, used to describe alpha particles as 4.
Thomson
The scientist who proposed the plum pudding model, later disproven by Rutherford's findings.