Q 12-12-022NEETJEE MainMedium
In Rutherford's alpha-scattering experiment, the fact that most alpha particles went straight through the gold foil showed that
Answer: (C) most of the atom is empty space
Concept. An $\alpha$-particle is deflected only when it passes close to something massive and charged.
Step 1. Interpret. Most $\alpha$-particles passed almost undeflected, so they met nothing in their way: most of the atom is empty space. (The rare large-angle deflections showed that the positive charge and mass sit in a tiny nucleus.)
Answer. Most of the atom is empty space (Option C).
Solution by Sreeraj P, M.Sc Physics