When positively charged particles were radiated onto a gold atom, a few of the particles bounced back. Which of the following caused this?

Positively charged protons in the nucleus of the gold atom

Positively charged electrons in the nucleus of the gold atom

Negatively charged protons around the nucleus of the gold atom

Negatively charged electrons around the nucleus of the gold atom

Question

Karissa Fritz

Physics

20 April, 11:08

When positively charged particles were radiated onto a gold atom, a few of the particles bounced back. Which of the following caused this?

Positively charged protons in the nucleus of the gold atom

Positively charged electrons in the nucleus of the gold atom

Negatively charged protons around the nucleus of the gold atom

Negatively charged electrons around the nucleus of the gold atom

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Answers (1)

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Rocko · Answer 1

In Rutherford's experiment three things happened:

some alpha particles that were deflectedsome alpha particles came back at himsome alpha particles went straight through the gold foil.

The particles that completely went through passed through the empty space in the atom. The particles that were deflected to the sides were deflated by a passing electron that moved the alpha particle out of the way. The particles that were bounced back hit the nucleus in the center that it bounced off.