What is the Q value for lead in the Rutherford Experiment?

In summary, the Rutherford Experiment on lead was conducted to investigate the structure of the atom and understand the distribution of positive and negative charges within it. It involved bombarding a thin sheet of gold foil with alpha particles and observing their deflection. The results showed that the atom is mostly empty space with a positively charged nucleus at its center, leading to the development of the nuclear model of the atom and modern atomic theory. This groundbreaking discovery had a significant impact on the scientific community, sparking further research and advancements in nuclear physics.
  • #1
the whizz
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in a problem using the Rutherford scattering experiment, i Need to find what the turning distance would be using lead instead of gold. I have that gold has a Q= 79e, what would the Q = ?? for lead?
 
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  • #2
Gold has an atomic number of 79 - hence 79 protons in the nucleus. The charge is then 79e.

What do you think this would be for Lead? You might need a periodic table to help you with this one.
 
  • #3


The Rutherford scattering experiment is a well-known experiment conducted by Ernest Rutherford in 1911 to study the structure of the atom. In this experiment, Rutherford used a thin gold foil and bombarded it with alpha particles. The aim was to determine the structure of the atom by observing the deflection of the alpha particles as they passed through the foil.

Now, in order to determine the turning distance using lead instead of gold, we need to first understand the concept of Q value. The Q value, also known as the atomic number, is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. In the case of gold, the Q value is 79, which means it has 79 protons in its nucleus.

In comparison, lead has a Q value of 82, which means it has 82 protons in its nucleus. This is because lead has three more protons than gold. Therefore, the Q value for lead would be 82e.

To determine the turning distance using lead, we can use the same formula used in the Rutherford scattering experiment:

R = k * Q * Z / b

Where:
R = turning distance
k = constant
Q = atomic number
Z = charge of the alpha particle
b = impact parameter

By substituting the values of k, Q, and Z for lead, we can calculate the turning distance for lead. However, it is important to note that the turning distance for lead would be slightly different from that of gold due to the difference in their atomic structures.

In conclusion, to find the turning distance using lead instead of gold, we need to calculate the Q value for lead, which is 82e, and then use the same formula as in the Rutherford scattering experiment to determine the turning distance. This experiment can provide valuable insights into the atomic structure of lead and help us understand its properties better.
 

1. What was the purpose of the Rutherford Experiment on lead?

The purpose of the Rutherford Experiment on lead was to investigate the structure of the atom and understand the distribution of positive and negative charges within it.

2. How was the Rutherford Experiment conducted?

The Rutherford Experiment involved bombarding a thin sheet of gold foil with alpha particles and observing their deflection. The foil was surrounded by a circular fluorescent screen to capture the deflected particles.

3. What were the results of the Rutherford Experiment?

The results of the Rutherford Experiment showed that most of the alpha particles passed straight through the gold foil, but a small percentage were deflected or bounced back. This led to the conclusion that the atom is mostly empty space with a positively charged nucleus at its center.

4. How did the Rutherford Experiment contribute to the development of modern atomic theory?

The Rutherford Experiment provided evidence for the existence of a small, dense, and positively charged nucleus in the atom. This led to the development of the nuclear model of the atom, which formed the basis for modern atomic theory.

5. What impact did the Rutherford Experiment have on the scientific community?

The Rutherford Experiment was a groundbreaking discovery that challenged the previously accepted plum pudding model of the atom. It sparked further research and advancements in nuclear physics and contributed to our understanding of the fundamental building blocks of matter.

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