Structure of the Atom Quiz

Who discovered the structure of the atom through the gold foil experiment in the early 20th century?

• Niels Bohr

• John Dalton

• Ernest Rutherford

• J.J. Thomson

What was the primary purpose of using a lead container in Rutherford's scattering experiment?

• To increase the temperature of alpha particles

• To produce a collimated beam of alpha particles

• To detect the deflected alpha particles

• To prevent alpha particles from escaping the laboratory

What was the significance of using a thin sheet of gold foil in Rutherford's experiment?

• It was inexpensive and easily available

• It was extremely thin, about 10^-6 m thick

• It produced alpha particles

• It absorbed all the alpha particles

What does the diagram in the image represent?

• Bohr's model of the hydrogen atom

• Thomson's plum pudding model

• Rutherford's gold foil experiment setup

• Dalton's atomic theory illustration

What conclusion can be drawn about the nucleus of an atom based on the deflection of alpha particles at angles of 90°?

• The nucleus occupies a large volume of the atom.

• The nucleus is negatively charged.

• Only a small number of alpha particles are deflected straight back.

• The nucleus is not centrally located within the atom.

What does the small size of the nucleus suggest about its properties?

• It contains most of the atom's electrons.

• It is where most of the mass and charge of the atom are concentrated.

• It has a negligible effect on the atom's overall properties.

• It is primarily composed of neutrons.

How is the atom structured according to the diagram?

• A large nucleus surrounded by a few electrons.

• A small nucleus surrounded by densely packed electrons.

• A small, positively charged nucleus surrounded by negative electrons.

• A negatively charged nucleus with positive electrons orbiting it.

What is the approximate diameter of an atom?

• 10^-5 m

• 10^-10 m

• 10^-15 m

• 10^-20 m

What is the primary observation from the Rutherford scattering experiment when alpha particles are directed at thin gold foil?

• Most alpha particles are absorbed by the foil.

• Most alpha particles are deflected back to the source.

• Most alpha particles pass straight through the foil.

• Most alpha particles are deflected at large angles.

Which graph best represents the variation of the number of alpha particles detected per unit time as a function of the angle of deflection in the Rutherford scattering experiment?

• Graph A

• Graph B

• Graph C

• Graph D