In the α\alphaα-particle scattering experiment, a thin gold foil is bombarded with α\alphaα-particles. Which observation provides direct evidence that the positive charge and most of the mass of an atom are concentrated in a very small volume (the nucleus)?
The vast majority of the α\alphaα-particles pass through the foil with almost no deflection.
A very small fraction of the α\alphaα-particles are deflected through angles greater than 90∘90^\circ90∘.
The α\alphaα-particles cause the gold foil to emit electrons.
No α\alphaα-particles are able to pass through the gold foil.
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.