An alpha particle is a helium nucleus emitted during some radioactive decays.
Express the alpha particle in standard nuclear notation (ZAX^{A}_{Z}\text{X}ZAX) and state the number of neutrons it contains.
Given that the elementary charge is e=1.60×10−19 Ce = 1.60 \times 10^{-19}\text{ C}e=1.60×10−19 C, calculate the magnitude of the net charge of an alpha particle in Coulombs.
The diagram below illustrates the experimental setup of the historic alpha particle scattering experiment, where alpha particles are directed towards a thin metal foil inside a vacuum chamber.
State two physical reasons why it is essential for the chamber containing the apparatus to be highly evacuated.
State the name of the fundamental force responsible for the scattering of the alpha particles as they approach the nuclei of the metal foil, and describe its nature (attractive or repulsive).
Explain how the following two experimental observations led scientists to propose the nuclear model of the atom over the plum pudding model:
