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JEE Main levelOne or more correct optionsDifficulty 2 of 3as029

Which of the following conclusions follow from the alpha-particle scattering experiment on thin gold foil? (Select all that apply.)

  1. AMost of the volume of an atom is empty space
  2. BThe electrons in the atom strongly deflect the incident alpha particles
  3. CThe positive charge of the atom is concentrated in a tiny nucleus
  4. DThe nucleus has a size comparable to that of the whole atom

Answer: A, C

Most alpha particles passed straight through, showing mostly empty space. A very few were deflected through large angles, showing a tiny, dense, positive nucleus. Electrons are far too light to deflect alpha particles appreciably, and the nucleus is about times the atomic size.
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