In the Geiger-Marsden alpha-particle scattering experiment, alpha-particles were fired at a very thin gold foil.
Which of the following options correctly pairs an observation from this experiment with the conclusion drawn from it?
Most alpha-particles passed straight through the foil with little or no deflection. →\rightarrow→ The mass of the gold atom is distributed uniformly throughout its volume.
A tiny fraction of alpha-particles were deflected through angles greater than 90∘90^\circ90∘. →\rightarrow→ The positive charge and almost all the mass of the atom are concentrated in a tiny, dense nucleus.
Some alpha-particles were deflected through small angles. →\rightarrow→ The nucleus consists of both protons and neutrons.
No alpha-particles were deflected through angles larger than 90∘90^\circ90∘. →\rightarrow→ The plum pudding model of the atom is correct.
284 exam-style questions on CIE IGCSE Physics 5.1 The nuclear model of the atom, covering 5.1.1a Structure of the atom and ions, 5.1.1b Alpha-particle scattering, 5.1.2a Composition of the nucleus and isotopes, 5.1.2b Proton number, nucleon number and nuclide notation, and 5.1.2c Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.