Will a 5.5 MeV Alpha Particle Experiment Work With Current Detector Limits?

[starsuck]

here is the question.
Researchers want to construct a scattering experiment using a powerful source of 5.5 MeV alpha-particles to scatter from a gold foil. They want to be able to count 1 particle/s at 50 degree. Their detector subtends a small angle and is limited to a maximum count rate of 2,000 particles/s.
Will their experiment work without modifying the detector if the other angle they want to measure is 6 degree.

Can anyone help me out on this question? I do not know which equation I have to apply. (Rutherford eq probably??)

 

[Meir Achuz]

You need the formula for the Rutherford differential cross section.
Then check if sigma(6)/sigma(50) is less than 2000.