question_answer 59)

In Rutherford's experiment, generally the thin foil of heavy atoms like gold, platinum etc., have been used to be bombarded by the \[\alpha \]-particles. If the thin foil of light atoms like aluminium etc., is used, what difference would be observed from the above results?

Answer:

Nuclei of heavy metals have high positive charge and hence they are capable of deflecting the positively charged \[\alpha \]-particles. In case of lighter atoms like aluminium the deflection of \[\alpha \]-particles will be insignificant.