I was in the text book section 1.5, and I don't understand why based on Thomson's model "α particles should have passed straight through the gold foil" in Rutherford's experiment

Question

I was in the text book section 1.5, and I don't understand why based on Thomson's model "α particles should have passed straight through the gold foil"  in Rutherford's experiment

anhdo · Answer

If the Thompson model, which is like a plum pudding cake model, was right, alpha particles (which have positive charge) will go through that model (in this case , gold foil represent for numerous atoms) because of the 
Colloumb force between electrons and alpha particles.

anhdo · Answer

Sorry if my English is hard to understand. I will try to explain to you if you have more questions that I know the answer

anonymous · Answer

wow, I am so impressed that I actually got an answer. I am in China and this web somehow not always can be accessed. So I can't come here regularly. Sorry for not replying to you for so long a time. let me digest your answer. Anyway thanks a lot

anhdo · Answer

You're welcome. Actually, this website does not help me very much. Just like you, I find it not always be accessed, too :)))