Ask your own question, for FREE!
Chemistry 12 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

explain how ernest rutherfords gold-foil experiment showed that atom is mostly empty space

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Rutherford bombarded the gold foil with alpha particles (Helium nuclei) and found that most of them would not deviate from the initial trajectory on passing through the foil. A very small part of the alpha particles, though, ended up reflected, changing the direction of propagation. This lead to the conclusion that in the atom there is a tiny positively-charged unit which repels the alpha particles which also have a positive charge. The fact that almost all of the initial alpha particles are not deflected means that the atom is mostly empty space.

Can't find your answer? Make a FREE account and ask your own questions, OR help others and earn volunteer hours!

Join our real-time social learning platform and learn together with your friends!
Can't find your answer? Make a FREE account and ask your own questions, OR help others and earn volunteer hours!

Join our real-time social learning platform and learn together with your friends!