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CAIE A-Level Physics AS 11.1.1 The Results of the Particle Scattering Experiment the Existence and Small Questions

Interpret straight-through and large-angle alpha-particle paths to infer why atoms are mostly empty space and contain a very small nucleus.

Syllabus
2028–2030
Course
Physics 9702
Level
AS

Exam points

  • Infer a very small nucleus and mostly empty atom from most alpha-particles passing straight through.
  • Infer the existence of a compact nucleus from rare alpha-particles scattered through large angles.

CAIE A-Level Physics AS 11.1.1 The Results of the Particle Scattering Experiment the Existence and Small Questions question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

Fig. 6.1 shows four alpha particles W, X, Y and Z moving towards a gold nucleus that is in thin gold foil.

Fig. 6.1 (not to scale)

Fig. 6.1 (not to scale)

When a beam containing many alpha particles is incident on thin gold foil, nearly all of the alpha particles follow paths that are similar to the path of particle Z .

Describe what may be inferred from this about the structure of an atom.

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