Chapter 3, Problem 10STP

(a)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Work of Rutherford needs to be explained.

Concept Introduction: Rutherford’s model of atom concluded that the atom is mostly empty space. However, the atom contains a nucleus where the mass and positive charge of the atom are concentrated.

Answer to Problem 10STP

Rutherford could not explain the results of his gold foil experiment, specifically alpha particles deflecting off the gold foil.

Explanation of Solution

Rutherford theorized that almost all mass of an atom & all of its positive charge are crammed into very small region of space at center of an atom. Rutherford’s new model of the atom fits the experimental data. In Rutherford's experiment, alpha particles are allowed to pass through a thin sheet of gold. This experiment was basically to know whether an atom has small dense nucleus with electrons revolving around it.

(b)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Result of Rutherford’s experiment needs to be explained.

Concept Introduction: Rutherford’s model of atom concluded that the atom is mostly empty space. However, the atom contains a nucleus where the mass and positive charge of the atom are concentrated.

Answer to Problem 10STP

Gold foil experiment of Rutherford showed that the atom has mostly empty space with a tiny, dense and positively-charged nucleus.

Explanation of Solution

Rutherford theorized that almost all mass of an atom & all of its positive charge are crammed into very small region of space at center of an atom. Rutherford’s new model of the atom fits the experimental data. In Rutherford's experiment, alpha particles are allowed to pass through a thin sheet of gold. This experiment was basically to know whether an atom has small dense nucleus with electrons revolving around it. The result of this experiment showed that atom contains mostly empty space/ area with scattered electrons.

(c)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Conclusion of Rutherford’s experiment needs to be explained.

Concept Introduction: Rutherford’s model of atom concluded that the atom is mostly empty space. However, the atom contains a nucleus where the mass and positive charge of the atom are concentrated.

Answer to Problem 10STP

Rutherford concluded that there must be a dense, positive center to the atom, which he called the nucleus.

Explanation of Solution

Rutherford theorized that almost all mass of an atom & all of its positive charge are crammed into very small region of space at center of an atom. Rutherford’s new model of the atom fits the experimental data. In Rutherford's experiment, alpha particles are allowed to pass through a thin sheet of gold. This experiment was basically to know whether an atom has small dense nucleus with electrons revolving around it. The result of this experiment showed that atom contains mostly empty space with scattered electrons. Based on scattering of alpha particles, Rutherford determined that atom might have positive charge at center which contains most of its mass.