Thomson and Rutherford's experiments

In summary, the conversation discusses the potential outcomes of Rutherford's experiment if Thomson's "plum pudding" model was correct. It is concluded that if the model was correct, the alpha particles would pass right through with no deflection, as there was no established nucleus at the time. The conversation also touches on the distribution of positive nuclei in the model and how it would affect deflection.
  • #1
Westin
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Homework Statement


If Thomson's "plum pudding" model was correct, what could have happened when Rutherford fired high energy alpha particles at gold foil?Select all that are True.
Alpha particles are reflected.
Alpha particles pass right through with no deflection.
Alpha particles experience small deflections.
Alpha particles experience large deflections.
[/B]

Homework Equations


None

The Attempt at a Solution



I understand Thomson had discovered that atoms are composite objects, made of pieces with positive and negative charge, and that the negatively charged electrons within the atom were very small compared to the entire atom. Also, how Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment proved the existence of a small massive center to atoms, which would later be known as the nucleus of an atom.

Wouldn't this mean Alpha particles would pass right through with no deflection since a nucleus hasn't been established yet?
 
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  • #2
I believe the right answer is
Alpha particles pass right through with no deflection.
 
  • #3
That is what I tried and it was wrong :(
 
  • #4
The positive nuclei have the largest mass and would then be evenly distributed throughout the "pudding".
How would such a distribution influence the deflection?
The large deflection observed in the real experiment came about as a result of the nuclei being bound together in one large concentrated mass.
 

FAQ: Thomson and Rutherford's experiments

1. What were Thomson and Rutherford's experiments?

Thomson and Rutherford's experiments were a series of scientific studies conducted in the late 19th and early 20th century to understand the structure of the atom. They aimed to test the existing theories of atomic structure and discover new information about the fundamental building blocks of matter.

2. What did Thomson's experiment reveal about the atom?

Thomson's experiment, also known as the cathode ray tube experiment, revealed the presence of negatively charged particles called electrons in the atom. This discovery led to the development of the plum pudding model of the atom, which proposed that the atom was made up of a positively charged sphere with embedded electrons.

3. How did Rutherford's experiment challenge Thomson's model of the atom?

Rutherford's experiment, also known as the gold foil experiment, involved firing alpha particles at a thin sheet of gold foil. The unexpected results showed that most of the alpha particles passed through the foil, but some were deflected at large angles. This led Rutherford to propose the nuclear model of the atom, which suggested that the atom had a small, dense, positively charged nucleus at its center, surrounded by mostly empty space.

4. What was the significance of Rutherford's discovery of the nucleus?

Rutherford's discovery of the nucleus revolutionized the understanding of atomic structure and laid the foundation for modern atomic theory. It also led to the development of the nuclear model of the atom, which is still widely accepted today. Rutherford's experiment also provided evidence for the existence of subatomic particles, such as protons and neutrons, within the nucleus.

5. How did Thomson and Rutherford's experiments contribute to the development of quantum mechanics?

Thomson and Rutherford's experiments provided crucial evidence for the existence of subatomic particles, which was a major breakthrough in understanding the structure of matter. This paved the way for the development of quantum mechanics, which explains the behavior of particles at the atomic and subatomic level. Without their experiments, our understanding of the atom and its structure would not have progressed as far as it has today.

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