In the alpha-particle (α\alphaα-particle) scattering experiment, high-energy particles are directed at a thin metal foil. It is observed that the vast majority of the α\alphaα-particles pass straight through the foil with no deflection, while a tiny fraction of them are scattered backward through angles greater than 90∘90^\circ90∘. What do these combined results indicate about the structure of an atom?
The positive charge and almost all the mass of the atom are concentrated in a tiny central nucleus, with the rest of the atom consisting of mostly empty space.
The positive charge is spread uniformly throughout the volume of the atom, with the electrons containing most of its mass.
The atom consists of a uniform sphere of positive charge with electrons embedded throughout.
The mass of the atom is evenly distributed throughout its volume, while the positive charge is concentrated in a tiny central nucleus.
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.