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ReneMost of the alpha particles passed through the gold foil because atoms are mostly empty space, and the alpha particle is small enough to pass through without colliding with the dense nucleus. This led to the discovery of the nucleus, as a few alpha particles were deflected or bounced back, indicating a dense, positively charged center in the atom.
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In Rutherford's gold foil experiment what particles were fired at a thin piece of gold?
Alpha particles were fired at a thin piece of gold foil in Rutherford's experiment. These alpha particles were positively charged and had high energy.
The kind of particle Rutherford used to shoot through gold foil?
Rutherford shot high-energy alpha particles (two protons and two neutrons, or a helium nucleus) at the gold foil. A small fraction of these alpha particles bounced back, and that is how Rutherford discovered the nucleus.
Which type of particles did Rutherford fire at gold foil?
Rutherford fired alpha particles at the gold foil during his famous gold foil experiment. These alpha particles were positively charged and were emitted from radioactive elements.
What happened to the alpha particles as they hit the gold foil?
They stop.
What was the fate of the vast majority of alpha particles in rutherford's gold-foil experiment?
The vast majority of alpha particles passed through the gold foil without being deflected, as the atom is mostly empty space. However, a small fraction of alpha particles were deflected at large angles, indicating the presence of a dense, positively charged nucleus in the atom.
