Question 1

Which of the following best describes the main finding of Rutherford's gold foil experiment?

Accepted Answer

Atoms are composed mostly of empty space with a small, dense, positively charged nucleus at the center.

Question 2

In Rutherford's experiment, what was the purpose of using a thin sheet of gold foil?

Accepted Answer

To allow alpha particles to pass through and interact with individual atoms.

Question 3

Alpha particles were used in Rutherford's experiment. Which of the following correctly describes an alpha particle?

Accepted Answer

A positively charged particle consisting of 2 protons and 2 neutrons.

Question 4

According to Rutherford's postulates, what happens to most alpha particles when they strike the gold foil?

Accepted Answer

They pass straight through the foil without deflection.

Question 5

A gold foil used in Rutherford's experiment has a thickness of $6.0 	imes 10^{-5}$ mm. If a single gold atom has a diameter of $2.9 	imes 10^{-8}$ cm, how many atoms thick is the foil? (1 mm = 0.1 cm)

Accepted Answer

$2.1 	imes 10^{4}$

Question 6

Which observation from Rutherford's experiment was most surprising based on the prevailing atomic model at the time?

Accepted Answer

A small fraction of alpha particles were deflected at large angles.

Question 7

What conclusion did Rutherford draw about the structure of the atom from his gold foil experiment?

Accepted Answer

The atom has a small, dense nucleus where all the positive charge and most of the mass are concentrated.

Question 8

Which of the following statements is NOT supported by Rutherford's gold foil experiment?

Accepted Answer

Electrons are located in the nucleus.

Question 9

If the nucleus of an atom were the size of a marble, approximately how large would the atom be in comparison?

Accepted Answer

The atom would be about the size of a football stadium.

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why most alpha particles passed straight through the gold foil in Rutherford's experiment?

Accepted Answer

Most of the atom is empty space, so alpha particles rarely encounter the dense nucleus.

Question 11

Which of the following is a direct implication of Rutherford's findings for the modern atomic model?

Accepted Answer

Electrons orbit a dense, positively charged nucleus.

Question 12

Why did Rutherford's experiment disprove the 'plum pudding' model of the atom?

Accepted Answer

It showed that positive charge is concentrated in a small nucleus, not spread throughout the atom.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a postulate of Rutherford's atomic model?

Accepted Answer

Electrons are embedded within the nucleus.

Question 14

If a gold foil is $6.0 	imes 10^{-5}$ mm thick and a gold atom is $2.9 	imes 10^{-8}$ cm in diameter, how many atoms thick is the foil? (1 mm = 0.1 cm)

Accepted Answer

$2.1 	imes 10^{4}$

Question 15

Which of the following statements about protons is supported by Rutherford's experiment?

Accepted Answer

Protons are about 1800 times heavier than electrons.

Rutherford Gold Foil Experiment and Atomic Structure

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