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Rutherford's Gold Foil Simulation Guide

The document outlines a series of instructions for conducting Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment using an online simulation. It includes tasks for observing the behavior of alpha particles as they interact with different atomic structures, such as varying numbers of protons and neutrons. The conclusion prompts students to reflect on the implications of Rutherford's findings on atomic theory and particle behavior.

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nurah.malik
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55 views3 pages

Rutherford's Gold Foil Simulation Guide

The document outlines a series of instructions for conducting Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment using an online simulation. It includes tasks for observing the behavior of alpha particles as they interact with different atomic structures, such as varying numbers of protons and neutrons. The conclusion prompts students to reflect on the implications of Rutherford's findings on atomic theory and particle behavior.

Uploaded by

nurah.malik
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Name __________________________ Class___________ Date_____________

Rutherford’s Gold Foil Experiment

Go to [Link]. Once there, go to the Play with Simulations tab and click on
the HTML5 tab. Scroll down and find Rutherford Scattering:
[Link]

Once the simulation opens, click on the Rutherford Atom.

Rutherford Atom

Once open, set the number of protons to 20 and click on the blue button above the
Alpha Particles to start firing Alpha particles towards the gold foil.

1. Click on the Traces button. What do you notice about the paths of most of the
alpha particles?

2. Increase the number of protons to 60. Does it change how the alpha particles
move? If so, how?

3. Now, increase the number of protons to 100. How does this increase change
how the alpha particles move through the gold foil as compared to when you
started? Why do you think this change occurred?

4. Repeat the above steps but vary how many neutrons are present with the
protons. Does this change how the Alpha particles travel? Why or why not?
5. Click on the red/gray sphere and reset the number of protons to 20. Watch and describe
how the alpha particles move in relationship to the nucleus. Make a sketch of the
motion.

6. Click on the red/gray sphere and reset the number of protons to 20. Watch and describe
how the alpha particles move in relationship to the nucleus. Make a sketch of the
motion.

7. Now increase the number of protons to 100. Watch and describe how the alpha
particles move in relationship to the nucleus. Make a sketch of the motion.

8. How are the situations in #6 and #7 different? Why do you think this is?
Plum-Pudding Atom

1. Switch the simulation to the Plum-Pudding Atom. Once the simulation opens, click on
the trace button. Click on the blue button on the Alpha Particle gun to turn on the Alpha
particles. What type of path do the Alpha particles take?

2. How is this different than the Rutherford simulation?

Conclusion

1. Why do you think that the model of the atom changed after Rutherford’s experiment?

2. Why were the Alpha particles deflected by the nucleus and not attracted to it?

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