Question

Use the structure of an atom proposed from Rutherford’s Au Foil experiment, but describe the results if the same experiment used a beam of beta particles (fast moving electrons) instead of the alpha particles (fast moving He nucleus with a +2 charge). Consider drawing a sketch of an atomic foil target and predicting the results.

Answer 1

Are you familiar with the experiment?

Answer 2

No, I am not very familiar. I do know about the model because that is all I have learned

Answer 3

um watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zn0xGIxoZSo

Answer 4

Though I have seen a similar video when I was attempting the question, I can
take a look at this aswell.

Answer 5

it's sufficient for you to know the basic concept of the experiment to answer the question.
So what do you think would happen if you shot electrons (negatively charged particles) instead of positive particles?

Answer 6

so, i know that Alpha particles were observed to pass straight through the gold foil.

Answer 7

would they be scattered? I am not sure if I understand the question correctly

Answer 8

most of them went straight through (because the nucleus is so small) but some were deflected because they we're repelled as they approached them. Electrons instead would probably all straight through, although their path would be changed slightly as they experience the "pull" of the nuclei as they approach them. It would be very improbable for them to be deflected by other electrons though, electrons are ridiculously small.

Answer 9

See, I know in the experiment, Rutherford expected all of the particles to be deflected but his prediction was wrong. He found that they were not deflected. They passed through the foil and emerged undistributed. I also know from this video and the one I watched previously that the particles were scattered at angles. I think what is confusing me is the question. So, I understand the experiment but I am not sure what I am being asked.

Answer 10

Just to make sure, some were deflected, but most went straight through. He was expecting a lot more to be deflected. They're asking you to predict what will happen if you shoot high energy electrons at the thin gold foil. I think they want a drawing of the detector screen behind the foil.

Answer 11

wait they actually say "the target foil", as in the gold foil.

Answer 12

What i would do is draw a 3d image of a bunch of atoms (equally spaced) and draw electrons passing by, most undisturbed, but some curving inwards an atom
sorry best i can do with the drawing tool

Answer 13

so even in high energy the particles will go straight through? I am sorry I am not very artistic and not a visual learner

Answer 14

I speculate that most of the \(\beta\) particles will go straight through. Some may have a curved path as they pass by a nucleus.

Answer 15

Ok. that makes sense because I did not think speed would cause to act weird. Thank you!

Answer 16

well it's not the speed, it's because the electrons are negatively charged and the nucleus is positively charged (opposite charges attract) so then it comes near, the electrons's path will curve closer to the nucleus.

Answer 17

oh thank you for clarifying. I think the word high energy is what caused me to think speed

Answer 18

we'll they are going very fast, if they weren't they might not be able to overcome their electrostatic attraction towards the nuclei and "hangout" in their vicinity

Answer 19

Ok so my final answer to the question would be that they are because the electrons are negatively charged and the nucleus is positively charged, some will go through straight while others will curve closer to the nucleus.

Answer 20

and of course, I will sketch it to illustrate that.