In the Rutherford alpha-particle scattering experiment, alpha-particles were fired at a thin gold foil.
Which row in the table correctly matches an observation from this experiment with the conclusion drawn from it?
| Observation | Conclusion | |
|---|---|---|
| A | Most alpha-particles passed straight through with no deflection | The nucleus of the atom contains neutrons. |
| B | Most alpha-particles passed straight through with no deflection | Most of the volume of the atom is empty space. |
| C | A small fraction of alpha-particles deflected through large angles | The atom is a solid charge-neutral sphere. |
| D | A small fraction of alpha-particles deflected through large angles | Electrons orbit the nucleus in quantized energy levels. |
Row A
Row B
Row C
Row D
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.