Atomic Structure and Rutherford's Experiment

Which statement accurately describes the plum-pudding model of the atom?

• Electrons orbit a dense, positively charged nucleus.

• Negatively charged electrons are embedded within a diffuse, positively charged sphere.

• Atoms are indivisible, solid spheres.

• Protons and neutrons are located in a central nucleus, with electrons in distinct energy levels.

What are alpha particles, as used in Rutherford's gold foil experiment?

• Tiny, negatively charged particles much smaller than an atom.

• Tiny, positively charged particles much smaller than an atom.

• Neutral particles with a mass similar to an atom.

• Electromagnetic radiation used to probe atomic structure.

What was the most surprising observation from Rutherford's gold foil experiment?

• Most alpha particles passed straight through the gold foil.

• Some alpha particles were slightly deflected from their path.

• A small fraction of alpha particles were deflected at large angles or bounced straight back.

• The gold foil was incredibly thin, only a few atoms thick.

What conclusion was drawn from the observation that the majority of alpha particles passed directly through the gold foil during the experiment?

• The atom's mass is evenly distributed throughout its volume.

• Most of the atom consists of empty space.

• Electrons are embedded within a positively charged sphere.

• The atom contains a dense, negatively charged core.

The occasional deflection or backward scattering of alpha particles in the gold foil experiment provided evidence for which characteristic of the atom?

• The presence of electrons orbiting a central nucleus.

• A uniformly distributed positive charge throughout the atom.

• A small, dense, positively charged region at the atom's center.

• The existence of neutral particles within the nucleus.