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.

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.

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Which statement about the alpha-particle scattering experiment provides evidence for the existence of the nucleus?

A tiny proportion of the alpha-particles are deflected through large angles.

Slower alpha-particles are deflected through larger angles.

The kinetic energies of the deflected alpha-particles are unchanged.

The number of alpha-particles deflected depends on the thickness of the foil.

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