Rutherford Scattering - A Level Standard Questions
Q3.
(a)
(i) Why is it necessary to remove the air from the chamber in a Rutherford scattering experiment?
It necessary to remove the air from the chamber in a Rutherford scattering experiment to prevent absorption/deflection/interaction/collision of the alpha particle with the air molecules 
(ii) Give two conclusions that can be deduced about the nucleus from the results of such an experiment.
- The nucleus has a positive charge (or same charge sign as an alpha particle)
- The nucleus contains most of the mass (or is very dense)
- The nucleus is small compared to the separation between nuclei (2 max)
(iii) What force or interaction is responsible for Rutherford scattering?
The electromagnetic or electrostatic or Coulomb Force (or interaction)
(4 marks)
(b) The figure below shows three alpha particles, all with the same kinetic energy, directed at a nucleus. The path followed by alpha particle 2 is drawn in for you. Draw lines on the figure to show the paths followed by alpha particles 1 and 3.
Particle 1: path is straighter than path of particle 2
Particle 3: path is bent more than path of particle 2, with minimum radius of curvature near the minimum separation and in front of the nucleus
(2 marks)
(Total 6 marks)
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