Rutherford scattering experiments

Ernest Rutherford, the physicist who led the experiments.

The Rutherford scattering experiments were a series of landmark experiments conducted in the early 20th century that led to the development of the Rutherford model of the atom. These experiments were primarily carried out by Ernest Rutherford, Hans Geiger, and Ernest Marsden at the University of Manchester.

Background

J.J. Thomson's "plum pudding" model of the atom.

Before the Rutherford scattering experiments, the prevailing model of the atom was the Thomson model, proposed by J.J. Thomson. This model depicted the atom as a sphere of positive charge with negatively charged electrons embedded within it, similar to "plums" in a "pudding."

The Experiments

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The apparatus used in the Geiger-Marsden experiments.

The experiments were designed to probe the structure of the atom by observing the scattering of alpha particles when they were directed at a thin gold foil. The apparatus consisted of a source of alpha particles, a thin gold foil, and a fluorescent screen to detect scattered particles.

Geiger-Marsden Experiment

Hans Geiger, who conducted the experiments with Marsden.

The first experiment, conducted by Geiger and Marsden under Rutherford's supervision, involved measuring the angles at which alpha particles were scattered after passing through the gold foil. To their surprise, while most particles passed through with little deflection, a small number were deflected at large angles, and some even bounced back.

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Ernest Marsden, who worked with Geiger on the experiments.

Results and Interpretation

Expected vs. actual results of the Geiger-Marsden experiment.

The unexpected results of the experiments led Rutherford to propose a new model of the atom. He suggested that the atom consists of a small, dense, positively charged nucleus surrounded by orbiting electrons. This model explained the large-angle deflections as the result of alpha particles coming close to the dense nucleus.

Significance

The Rutherford scattering experiments were pivotal in the development of modern atomic theory. They provided the first evidence for the existence of a nuclear structure within the atom, leading to the abandonment of the Thomson model and paving the way for the Bohr model and later quantum mechanical models.

Related pages

• Rutherford model
• Alpha particle
• Nuclear physics
• History of physics