IB Physics Rutherford model of the atom

A tutorial sheet of questions on aspects of the Rutherford model of the atom is given below.

  1. The Rutherford model of the atom has protons and neutrons at the centre of an atom. True or false?
  2. Marsden fired neutrons at a thin gold sheet and measured the number that passed through. True or false?
  3. When alpha particles are scattered by a thin metal sheet the number detected at a scattering angle 𝜃 is (state true or false) a) proportional to the thickness of the foil b) proportional to the kinetic energy of the alpha particle c) proportional to the atomic number of the metal d) proportional to the cosine of 𝜃/2 squared.
  4. Where are the electrons in the Rutherford model of the atom?
  5. Sketch the path of an alpha particle of charge +2e as it passes close to a nucleus of charge +Ze. Assume that the mass of the nucleus is much greater than that of the alpha particle.
  6. Sketch the path of an alpha particle of charge +2e as it passes close to a charge -Ze. Assume that the mass of the negative charge is much greater than that of the alpha particle.
  7. What is the scattering statistic in this experiment?