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Choose the correct options and explain the reason for the correct and incorrect options in the context of Ernest Rutherford’s gold foil experiment: (i) The experiment clearly showed the existence of neutrons in the nucleus. (ii) The results disproved the plum pudding model and led to the idea of a nucleus at the centre of the atom. (iii) The large deflection of a few alpha particles indicated that most of the mass of the atom and positive charge are packed into a tiny centre. (iv) The way alpha particles were deflected showed that electrons move around the nucleus.
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Correct: (ii) and (iii).
- (i) Incorrect — the experiment revealed the nucleus , not neutrons (neutrons were found later by Chadwick).
- (ii) Correct — results disproved the plum pudding model and led to the idea of a central nucleus.
- (iii) Correct — large deflection of a few α-particles showed mass and positive charge are packed into a tiny centre.
- (iv) Incorrect — the deflection was due to the positive nucleus, not because it showed electrons moving around.
