Atomic structure and ionising radiation

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Question 12
Easy

A group of students are investigating a mechanical model of alpha particle scattering. They are provided with the apparatus shown in the diagram:

  • A flat paper sheet marked with parallel grid lines
  • A heavy brass cylinder at the center (representing a gold nucleus)
  • A small launching ramp that can be shifted sideways to vary the line of approach
  • A steel ball bearing
  • A protractor

An experimental setup for modeling alpha scattering: A heavy brass cylinder is resting on a sheet of grid paper. A small inclined ramp is positioned to release a steel ball bearing towards the cylinder at different lateral offset distances. A protractor is placed on the paper to measure the angle of deflection of the ball bearing after it interacts with/rolls past the cylinder.

Describe how the students can use this apparatus to demonstrate how the angle of deflection of an alpha particle depends on its initial line of approach.

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Atomic structure and ionising radiation Questions

  1. GCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /Atomic structure and ionising radiation