Chapter 37: Given Information (page 1081)

10. Explain why the observation of alpha particles scattered at very large angles led Rutherford to reject Thomson’s model of the atom and to propose a nuclear model.

Short Answer

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If Thompson's theory was true then almost all the particles should've gone straight. But as Rutherford saw large deviations in the he discarded the Thomson's model of the atom and proposed his own nuclear model.

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Thomson's plum pudding model viewed the atom as a massive blob of positive charge filled with dotted negative charges. So, if this theory was true then almost all the particles should've gone straight. But as he saw large deviations in the he discarded the Thomson's model of the atom and proposed his own nuclear model. So, he proposed that the atom is mostly empty space. The electrons revolve in circular orbits about a massive positive charge at the center. His model explained why most of theα-particles passed straight through the foil. The small positive nucleus deflected the few particles that came close and the few who hit the nucleus were deflected with large deflections.

Thus, The nuclear model replaced the plum pudding model. The atom now consisted of a positive nucleus with negative electrons in circular orbits around it .

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Rutherford studied alpha particles using the crossed-field technique Thomson had invented to study cathode rays. Assuming that valphaαvcathoderay(which turns out to be true), would the deflection of an alpha particle by a magnetic field be larger than, smaller than, or the same as the deflection of a cathode-ray particle by the same field? Explain.

FIGURE Q36.6 shows a rocket traveling from left to right. At the instant it is halfway between two trees, lightning simultaneously (in the rocket’s frame) hits both trees.

a. Do the light flashes reach the rocket pilot simultaneously? If not, which reaches her first? Explain.

b. A student was sitting on the ground halfway between the trees as the rocket passed overhead. According to the student, were the lightning strikes simultaneous? If not, which tree was hit first? Explain.

a. Summarize the experimental evidence prior to the research of Thomson by which you might conclude that cathode rays are some kind of particle.

b. Summarize the experimental evidence prior to the research of Thomson by which you might conclude that cathode rays are some kind of wave.

To initiate a nuclear reaction, an experimental nuclear physicist wants to shoot a proton into a 5.50-fm-diameter 12C nucleus. The proton must impact the nucleus with a kinetic energy of 3.00 MeV. Assume the nucleus remains at rest.

a. With what speed must the proton be fired toward the target?

b. Through what potential difference must the proton be accelerated from rest to acquire this speed?

4. What was the significance of Thomson’s experiment in which an off-center electrode was used to collect charge deflected by a magnetic field?

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