Geiger-Marsden Experiment Quiz

What was the primary goal of the Geiger-Marsden experiment?

• To study the behavior of neutrons

• To measure the mass of protons

• To determine the structure of atoms

• To confirm the existence of electrons

Which model of the atom was disproved by the Geiger-Marsden experiment?

• Planetary model

• Bohr model

• Quantum model

• Plum pudding model

In the plum pudding model, how were electrons thought to be arranged?

• Attached to protons

• Freely floating in space

• Embedded in a positively charged mass

• Orbiting a central nucleus

Why was gold foil used in the Geiger-Marsden experiment?

• Gold is inexpensive

• Gold can be made extremely thin

• Gold is highly reactive

• Gold is a good conductor of electricity

What was the role of the lead box in the experimental setup?

• To cool down the apparatus

• To shield the experiment from light

• To measure the speed of alpha particles

• To contain the radioactive substance

According to the plum pudding model, how should alpha particles behave when passing through an atom?

• They should bounce back completely

• They should be deflected at large angles

• They should be absorbed by the atom

• They should pass through without deflection

What unexpected observation was made during the Geiger-Marsden experiment?

• Alpha particles emitted light

• All alpha particles passed through the foil

• Some alpha particles were deflected at large angles

• Alpha particles were absorbed by the foil

What did the deflection of alpha particles suggest about the structure of the atom?

• Atoms are mostly empty space with a dense nucleus

• Atoms have a uniform density

• Atoms are composed of only electrons

• Atoms are solid and impenetrable

What charge was the small dense nucleus found to have?

• Variable

• Neutral

• Positive

• Negative

How did the Geiger-Marsden experiment contribute to atomic theory?

• It validated the plum pudding model

• It disproved the existence of protons

• It led to the development of the nuclear model of the atom

• It confirmed the existence of neutrons