Question

an atom is normally electrically neutral.why the should an alpha particle be deflected by an atom under any circumstances? P.S-this is with reference to rutherford's alpha scattering experiment

Answer 1

"If an atom were the size of the Earth, the nucleus would be the size of a football stadium. The atom's volume is mostly empty space". An alpha particle can penetrate the atom and approach to the nucleus, and will be deflected (the closer the alpha approach, the more it's deflected, until in extreme cases it make a 180°). The negative charge from the electron is distributed around the atom whereas the positive charge is in the nucleus, concentrated and thus create a strong electric field. Alpha particles only feel the positive charge in matter, but can ionize the atom if some electrons are nearby

Answer 2

thanks