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Nuclear atom and alpha scattering
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From plum pudding to the nuclear atom

From plum pudding to the nuclear atom

Comparison of plum pudding and nuclear models with alpha particle paths showing slight deflections in the diffuse model and strong deflection near a tiny nucleus

Before Rutherford, the plum pudding model pictured positive charge spread through the atom with electrons embedded in it. Alpha scattering tested whether that positive charge was diffuse or concentrated.

Nuclear atom and alpha scattering Lesson

  1. A Level
  2. /Physics
  3. /Nuclear atom and alpha scattering

Step-by-step lessons on Edexcel A Level Physics Nuclear atom and alpha scattering. Each one builds up to exam-style questions. Physics is one of the most mathematically demanding A Levels -- at least 40% of the marks across the three papers require maths skills at Level 2 (GCSE) standard or above, so build calculation and graph-handling fluency alongside the conceptual content from the start.

Lessons