Explain Rutherford's argument for scattered $\alpha$-particles.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) Rutherford argued that since a large number of $\alpha$-particles are scattered at very small angles,atoms must be largely hollow.
If a large part of the mass of an atom is tightly concentrated at its centre and it has a positive charge,then a Coulomb repulsive force may act between this positive charge and the positive charges of the $\alpha$-particles.
If so,then the incoming $\alpha$-particle could get very close to the positive charge without penetrating it and it will be deflected.
This argument supported the hypothesis of the nuclear atom. This is why Rutherford is credited with the discovery of the nucleus.
He argued that the electron is at a short distance from the nucleus. Just as the planets orbit the Sun,the electrons will orbit around the nucleus in a fixed orbit.
Rutherford's experiments suggested the size of the nucleus to be about $10^{-15} \ m$ to $10^{-14} \ m$. From kinetic theory,the size of an atom was known to be $10^{-10} \ m$,which is about $10,000$ to $100,000$ times larger than the size of the nucleus.

Explore More

Similar Questions

When an $\alpha$-particle of mass $m$ moving with velocity $v$ bombards a heavy nucleus of charge $Ze$,its distance of closest approach from the nucleus depends on $m$ as

$A$ proton is fired from very far away towards a nucleus with charge $Q=120 \ e$,where $e$ is the electronic charge. It makes a closest approach of $10 \ fm$ to the nucleus. The de Broglie wavelength (in units of $fm$) of the proton at its start is: (take the proton mass,$m_0 = (5/3) \times 10^{-27} \ kg$,$h/e = 4.2 \times 10^{-15} \ J \cdot s/C$,$\frac{1}{4 \pi \varepsilon_0} = 9 \times 10^9 \ N \cdot m^2/C^2$,$1 \ fm = 10^{-15} \ m$)

Choose the correct option from the following options given below.

What is the impact parameter?

An elementary particle of mass $m$ and charge $+e$ is projected with velocity $v$ at a much more massive particle of charge $Ze,$ where $Z > 0.$ What is the closest possible approach of the incident particle?

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo