Discovering the Atom's Structure

What was the primary conclusion of Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment?

• Atoms are indivisible particles.

• Atoms have a small, dense nucleus.

• Electrons orbit the nucleus in fixed paths.

• Atoms are mostly solid.

Which scientist is credited with the Gold Foil Experiment?

• Niels Bohr

• J.J. Thomson

• Ernest Rutherford

• James Chadwick

What particles were used by Rutherford in his Gold Foil Experiment?

• Electrons

• Neutrons

• Alpha particles

• Beta particles

Explain why most alpha particles passed through the gold foil without deflection in Rutherford's experiment.

• Because the gold foil was too thin.

• Because atoms are mostly empty space.

• Because alpha particles are very small.

• Because the gold foil was charged.

Describe the significance of the deflection of some alpha particles in the Gold Foil Experiment.

• It showed that electrons are negatively charged.

• It indicated the presence of a dense nucleus.

• It proved that atoms are indivisible.

• It demonstrated that atoms are solid.

How did Rutherford's model of the atom differ from J.J. Thomson's model?

• Rutherford's model included a dense nucleus, while Thomson's did not.

• Thomson's model included a dense nucleus, while Rutherford's did not.

• Both models included a dense nucleus.

• Neither model included a dense nucleus.

What reasoning did Rutherford use to conclude that the nucleus is positively charged?

• Because alpha particles are positively charged and were repelled.

• Because electrons are negatively charged.

• Because the nucleus contains neutrons.

• Because the nucleus is dense.

Analyze why Rutherford's model was a significant improvement over the plum pudding model.

• It introduced the concept of electron orbits.

• It provided evidence for a dense, positively charged nucleus.

• It explained the behavior of electrons.

• It was the first atomic model.

What was the main limitation of Rutherford's atomic model?

• It could not explain the stability of the atom (why the - outside didn't go toward the + inside)

• It did not include a nucleus.

• It suggested that atoms are solid.

• It did not account for electrons.

Identify the part of the atom that was discovered as a result of the Gold Foil Experiment.

• Electron

• Proton

• Neutron

• Nucleus